Tibialis Posterior
The structure indicated is the
tibialis posterior muscle of the leg. The muscles of the leg consist of the
three compartments:
- Anterior
- Posterior
- Lateral
The muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg are separated into a
superficial group and a
deep group. The superficial group consists of the following leg muscles:
- Gastrocnemius
- Plantaris
- Soleus
The deep group consists of the following leg muscles:
- Popliteus
- Flexor hallucis longus
- Flexor digitorum longus
- Tibialis posterior
Generally speaking, the muscles of the posterior compartment serve to
plantarflex at the ankle joint,
invert the foot and
flex the toes. The posterior leg muscles are innervated by the
tibial nerve, a branch of the
sciatic nerve. The tendon of the
tibialis posterior runs behind the
medial malleolus, deep to the tendon of the
flexor digitorum longus. The tibialis posterior muscles serves to invert and plantarflex the foot, and additionally provides support to the
medial arch of the foot, together with the tendons of the
peroneus longus and
tibialis anterior, which insert medially on the foot
Origin: Posterior surfaces of interosseous membrane and adjacent regions of tibia and fibula
Insertion: Tuberosity of navicular and adjacent region of medial cuneiform
Action: Inversion and plantarflexion of foot. Support of medial arch of foot during walking
Innervation: Tibial nerve
Learn more about the anatomy of the
leg muscles in this tutorial.
