Musculature | Lower leg

Musculature

On the lower leg, three muscle groups can be distinguished, each of which is located in its own muscle box and can therefore be easily separated from each other. All extensor muscles of the lower leg are innervated by the nervus fibularis (= peroneus) profundus. The tibialis anterior muscle has its origin in the lateral condyle of the tibia and is attached to the first tarsal bone.

As a rule, this muscle is relatively pronounced. It causes a lifting of the foot in the upper ankle joint (dorsal extension). The muscle extensor hallucis longus originates at the lateral edge of the fibula and attaches to the bony terminal limb of the big toe.

It thus stretches the big toe in the metatarsophalangeal and end joint. Furthermore, it causes a lifting of the foot (dorsal extension) in the upper ankle joint. The Musculus extensor digitorum longus originates at the front edge of the fibula and attaches to the aponeurosis of the back of the foot of the toes 2 to 5.

This also lifts the foot in the upper ankle joint and stretches the toes 2 to 5. The peroneal group is composed of the musculus peroneaus longus and brevis. Both muscles are innervated by the superficial nervus fibularis superficialis.

The long peroneal muscle has its origin at the lateral anterior surface of the fibula and at the head of the fibula. Its tendon has a very long course and finally reaches the side of the sole of the foot. From there, it runs transversely under the foot and is thus responsible for the tension of the transverse arch of the foot.

It also lowers the foot (plantar flexion) and lifts the foot outwards (pronation). The musculus peronaeus brevis originates slightly lower than the long part at the front of the fibula. The further course and function correspond to that of the long part.

The flexor muscles of the lower leg are again divided into two groups.The superficial flexor muscles are the All flexor muscles are innervated by the tibial nerve. The muscle triceps surae is composed of three heads. These three heads are popularly called “calf” because they are responsible for the silhouette of the posterior lower leg.

The gastrocnemius muscle originates from the lateral and medial condyle of the femur. These two muscle parts unite in the course of the disease and attach to the “heel” (tuber calcanei). In the knee joint, this muscle bends, in the upper ankle joint it causes the foot to lower (plantar flexion) and in the lower ankle joint it lifts the foot inwards (supination).

The soleus muscle is largely covered by the gastrocnemius muscle. It originates at the back of the tibia and at the head of the fibula and also attaches to the tuber calcanei. This also leads to plantar flexion in the upper and supination in the lower ankle joint.

The plantar muscle is a relatively small muscle whose function is largely negligible. It originates from the lateral condyle of the thigh, its base is the tuber calcanei. Thus it has the same function as the above-mentioned triceps surae muscle.

The muscle flexor digitorum longus has its origin at the posterior tibial surface. It starts at the end limbs of the 2nd to 5th toe and bends them. The posterior tibialis muscle originates at the membrane between the fibula and tibia (interosseous membrane).

It attaches to various tarsal bones and causes the inner edge of the foot to rise upwards (supination). It is also part of the longitudinal arch of the foot. The flexor hallucis longus muscle originates from the fibula and is attached to the terminal limb of the big toe.

It thus bends the big toe. The popliteus muscle is the only muscle in the flexor group that does not pull over one of the ankle joints. Its origin is the lateral condyle of the thigh, its attachment is the back surface of the fibula.

Thus it only exercises its function on the knee joint and bends it. It also tensions the joint capsule of the knee joint.

  • Extensor muscles in the front (extensors), the
  • Flexor muscles (flexors) and the rear flexor muscles
  • Lateral peroneal group.
  • Musculus tibialis anterior,
  • Musculus extensor hallucis longus and the
  • Musculus extensor digitorum longus.
  • Musculus triceps surae and the
  • Musculus plantaris.
  • Musculus flexor digitorum longus, the
  • Musculus flexor hallucis longus, the
  • Musculus tibialis posterior and the
  • Musculus popliteus.
  • The two-headed Musculus gastrocnemius and the
  • Musculus soleus.