INSTITUTE OF BASIC AND APPLIED BIOMEDICAL
SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND CLINICAL SCIENCES
NAMES: STUDENT I.D:
1. AMOS MWILA: 230101349
2. ANGELA MBEWE: 230101265
3. SHEKINAH BOWA: 230101042
4. TAIZYA NANYANGWE: 220100904
5. PRISCILLA LUKOMENA: . 230101545
6. TEMWANI NG’AMBI: 230101306
PROGRAME: BSc. CLINICAL SCIENCES
COURSE: ANATOMY
LECTURER’S NAME: MRS MWEEMBA MUTALIFE. F
ASSIGNMENT №: 01
DUE DATE : 8 MAY, 2024
GROUP №: 6
QUESTIONS:
1. Discuss the muscle naming, classification types of contractions of the leg muscles: anterior,
posterior and lateral aspects.
2. Briefly description of the origin, insertion and action of each or group of leg muscles and
innervation.
3. Applied clinical anatomy of the leg muscles
INTRODUCTION
Muscles are machines for converting chemical energy into mechanical work. The muscle tissue
constitutes 40–50% of the body mass that enable us to move, maintain posture and generate heat
that move limbs, inflate the lungs, pump blood, close and open tubes. Muscles have fleshy,
reddish, contractile portions of which some have one or more heads or bellies and others are
fleshy throughout, but mostly connect to white non-contractile portions (tendons), composed of
collagen bundles, that provide a means of attachment. Most muscles are named on the basis of
their function, bones attached to, position (medial, lateral, anterior, posterior), length (brevis-
short; longus- long) and shape for example, the abductor digiti minimi muscle. Muscles have a
chemical and mechanical functions of movements that are accomplished by groups of muscles
that serve specific functions in moving and positioning the body as each muscle may be
classified, according to its role in the movement, as a; prime mover, antagonist, fixator and
synergist. Hence, we discuss muscle naming, classification and types of contraction of the leg
muscle. Secondly the origin, insertion, action and the nerve innervation of the leg muscle, Lastly
the clinical anatomy associated with the leg muscle
The muscles that move the ankle, foot, and toes are housed within the leg and are called the crura
muscles. Some of these muscles also help flex the leg. The deep fascia partitions the musculature
into three compartments (anterior, lateral, and posterior), each with its own nerve and blood
support.
THE ANTERIOR COMPARTMENT OF THE LEG MUSCLES
Anterior compartment leg muscles dorsiflex the foot and extend the toes. The extensor digitorum
longus sends four long tendons to attach to the dorsal surface of toes 2–5. This muscle
dorsiflexes the foot and extends toes 2–5. The extensor hallucis longus sends a tendon to the
dorsum of the great toe (hallux), and so it dorsiflexes the foot and extends the great toe. The
fibularis tertius (or peroneus tertius) extends from the extensor digitorum longus muscle. It
dorsiflexes and weakly everts the foot. The tibialis anterior is the primary dorsiflexor of the foot
at the ankle. This muscle attaches to the medial plantar side of the foot, so it also inverts the foot.
Analogous to the wrist, tendons of the muscles within the anterior compartment are held tightly
against the ankle by multiple deep fascia thickenings, collectively referred to as the extensor
retinaculum. Tibialis anterior muscle originates from the upper end of the tibia, lies on the anterio
surface of the leg Inserted into the middle cuneiform bone by a long tendon.
THE LATERAL COMPARTMENT OF THE LEG MUSCLE
The lateral compartment leg muscles contain two synergistic muscles that are very powerful
evertors of the foot and weak plantar flexors. The long, flat fibularis longus (or peroneus longus)
is a superficial lateral muscle that covers the fibula. Its tendon attaches to the plantar side of the
foot on the base of metatarsal and the medial cuneiform. The fibularis brevis (or peroneus
brevis) lies deep to the fibularis longus. Its tendon inserts onto the base of the fifth metatarsal.
During a concentric contraction, the Peroneus Longus muscle shortens, causing the foot to evert
and the ankle to stabilize. This movement is important for activities such as walking or running
on uneven terrain, changing direction quickly and maintaining balance. The Peroneus Longus
muscle works in conjunction with other muscles, like the Peroneus Brevis, to control foot
eversion and ankle stability. Initial position foot in neutral position (neither everted nor inverted)
concentric contraction peroneus longus muscle contracts, causing the foot to evert (turn outward)
end position foot in everted position, ankle stabilized
POSTERIOR COMPARTMENT OF THE LEG MUSCLES
The posterior leg muscles, also known as the calf muscles, are a group of muscles located at the
back of the lower leg. They play a crucial role in movements like plantarflexion, flexion, and
rotation of the foot and ankle. It’s also innervated by tibial nerve. These muscles can be classified
into two groups into superficial group (gastrocnemius, Soleus, and Plantaris) and deep group
(tibialis posterior, flexor hallucis longus, and flexor digitorum longus).
Gastrocnemius forms the bulk of the calf of the leg and it arises by two heads, one from each
condyle of the femur Inserted into the calcaneus by the calcaneal tendon (Achilles’ tendon). Both
heads of the gastrocnemius cross the knee and ankle joints, causing flexion at the knee and
plantarflexion at the ankle. Soleus this is one of the main muscles of the calf of the leg lying
immediately deep to the gastrocnemius and Originates from the heads and upper parts of the
fibula and the tibia. Its tendon joins that of the gastrocnemius insertion into the calcaneus by the
Achilles tendon. Action plantarflexion at the ankle helps to stabilize the joint when standing.
The deep group posterior muscles include; Tibialis posterior this muscle is the deepest of the
group and is located posterior to the tibia. It originates from the tibia and fibula and inserts into
the navicular bone, cuneiform bones, and cuboid bone. It helps to support the arch of the foot and
plantarflex the foot at the ankle joint. Flexor hallucis longus this muscle is located posterior to
the fibula and originates from the fibula and interosseous membrane. It inserts into the base of
the distal phalanx of the great toe. It helps to flex the great toe and plantarflex the foot at the
ankle joint. Flexor digitorum longus this muscle is located posterior to the tibia and originates
from the tibia and interosseous membrane. It inserts into the base of the distal phalanges of the
lateral four toes. It helps to flex the lateral four toes and plantarflex the foot at the ankle joint.
The posterior leg muscles can undergo different types of contractions, including: Isotonic
contractions these shortens and moves the joint of the plantarflexion muscle that contracts
without moving the joint, for example, standing on tiptoes. Concentric contractions that shorten
the gastrocnemius muscle during toe raise and eccentric contractions lengthens gastrocnemius
muscle during heel strike. Popliteus: unlocks knee joint, assists in knee rotation. Flexor hallucis
longus and Flexor digitorum longus as the toe flexion and ankle plantarflexion lastly tibialis
posterior supports arch of foot and ankle plantarflexion.
THE ORIGIN, INSERTION, GROUP AND NERVE INNERTION
OF THE LEG MUSCLES.
Anterior Compartment (Shin) comprises of the tibialis anterior muscles that originates from
lateral surface of tibia and inserts on the medial cuneiform and base of 1st metatarsal, with a
dorsiflexion action .The tibialis anterior muscle is innervated by the deep peroneal nerve
(L4, L5. Extensor Hallucis Longus originates from the anterior surface of fibula and inserts on
the base of 1st distal phalanx and extension of big toe. The extensor longus is innervated by deep
peroneal nerve (L4, L5). Lastly the extensor digitorum longus originates from anterior surface of
fibula and inserts on the bases of 2nd-5th distal phalanges with an extension action of the toes
that are innervated by deep peroneal nerve (L4, L5).
Lateral Compartment (Outer Lower Leg) comprises of the peroneus longus that Originates from
the lateral surface of fibula and inserts Base of 1st metatarsal and medial cuneiform Eversion and
plantarflexion of the foot peroneus is Innervated by superficial peroneal nerve (L5, S1). Lastly
peroneus brevis originates from the lateral surface of fibula and inserts on the base of 5th
metatarsal action eversion and plantarflexion of foot innervation superficial peroneal nerve (L5,
S1).
Posterior Compartment (Calf) comprises of the gastrocnemius originates from the femur (medial
and lateral condyles) and inserts on the calcaneus through the Achilles tendon with a
plantarflexion of foot and is innervated by tibial nerve (S1, S2). Soleus originates from the tibia
and fibula which inserts on the calcaneus through the Achilles tendon with a plantarflexion of
foot.
Hamstring Group (Back of Thigh) consists of the biceps Femoris (Long head) that originates
from the ischial tuberosity and inserts on the fibula (lateral surface) flexion and lateral rotation of
knee and is innervated by the tibial nerve of the lumbar and sacral plexus (L5, S1).
Semitendinosus originates from the ischial tuberosity and inserts on the medial surface of the
tibia with the flexion and medial rotation of knee which is innervated by the tibial nerve (L5,
S1).
CLINICAL ANATOMY OF THE LEG MUSCLES
1. Muscle Imbalances: Weak or tight muscles can lead to poor biomechanics, injuries, and
pain. Understanding the anatomy of the leg muscles helps identify and address muscle
imbalances through targeted exercises and stretches.
2. Stiff Person Syndrome: This is a rare autoimmune condition that causes muscle stiffness
and spasms. It usually starts in the trunk and abdomen and then spreads to the legs and
other muscles.
3. PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease): This is a vascular condition that causes pain in the
leg muscles during exercise or exertion, especially after walking or climbing stairs.
4. Sciatic Nerve Pain: This is a neurological condition that causes pain that runs down the
leg from the hip to the foot, usually due to pressure on the sciatic nerve.
5. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): DMD symptoms usually begin before 5 years of
age and can cause weakness in the upper legs and upper arms, as well as affect the heart,
lungs, throat, stomach, intestines, and spine.
6. Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy: Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy can cause
weakness in the eyes and throat, and can also affect the shoulders, upper legs, and hips.
7. Distal muscular dystrophy: Distal muscular dystrophy can cause weakness in the hands,
feet, lower legs, and lower arms, and can also affect the heart, arms, and legs.
8. Leg Cramps: These are transient episodes of pain that can last for several minutes,
usually affecting the calf muscle.
9. Achilles Tendonitis: This is a musculoskeletal condition that causes irritation and
inflammation of the large tendon that runs down the back of the lower leg.
10. Fractures and Stress Fractures: These are musculoskeletal conditions that cause pain and
swelling in the legs, usually due to heavy pressure or repetitive stresse
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, here is the brief explanation of the classification, origin, insertion, naming and
muscle types of the leg muscle shown in the diagram bellow.
REFFERENCES
1. Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. (2018). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (8th ed.).
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2018). Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th ed.). Pearson.
3. Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. H. (2018). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (15th ed.).
Wiley.
4. Neumann, D. A. (2017). Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for
Rehabilitation (3rd ed.). Elsevier.
5. Kendall, F. P., McCreary, E. K., Provance, P. G., Rodgers, M. M., & Romani, W. A. (2005).
Muscles: Testing and Function, with Posture and Pain (5th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
