Posterior Leg

The posterior compartment, also known as the plantar-flexor compartment.

 

muscles of the posterior compartment
superficial muscle group	gastrocnemius
	soleus
	plantaris
deep muscle group	popliteus
	flexor digitorum longus
	flexor hallucis longus
	tibialis posterior

 

 

Muscles in this compartment primarily plantar-flex the ankle joint, flex the toes and invert the foot.

 

 

 

 

Let's focus on the superficial group of the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg first.

 

The picture below shows the muscle gastrocnemius.

It is the most superficial of the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg.

It is responsible to flex the knee.  

 

 

 

The picture below shows the muscle soleus. 

This muscle lies under the gastrocnemius.

 

 

 

The picture below shows the muscle plantaris.

It flexes the knee.

 

 

 

The plantaris, together with soleus and gastrocnemius, plantar-flexes the foot. 

 

Now, let's focus on the deep group of the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg.

 

The picture below shows the muscle tibialis posterior.

It plantar-flexes and inverts the foot.

 

 

 

The picture below shows the muscles popliteus and the flexor hallucis longus.

As you can see from the picture below, flexor hallucis longus is responsible to flex the great toe.

It plantar-flexes the foot as well.

Popliteus is responsible to unlock the knee joint.

 

 

 

 

The picture below shows the muscle flexor digitorum longus.

As you can see from the picture below, this muscle is responsible to flex the lateral 4 toes. 

 

 

 

 

From the picture below, you can see that the blood supply of the posterior compartment of the leg comes from the posterior tibial artery.

You can also see that from the picture, the posterior tibial artery originates from the popliteal artery.

 

 

 

 

 

All muscles in this compartment are innervated by the tibial nerve, as shown in the picture below.