Human anatomy - leg muscles

A- Anterior Leg Muscles:

• tibialis anterior muscle: This muscle is located in the leg and extends towards the inner part of the foot. It originates on the lateral side of the tibia (shinbone) and inserts on the base of the first metatarsal bone of the big toe.

  • Function:
    • Dorsiflexion of the foot (upward movement)
    • Supination of the foot (inward rotation)
    • Adduction of the foot (inward movement)

• extensor digitorum longus muscle : This muscle is located in the leg and extends the toes. It originates on the lateral side of the tibia (shinbone) and inserts on the bases of the second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal bones of the toes.

  • Function:
    • Dorsiflexion of the toes (upward movement)
    • Assists in eversion of the foot

• extensor hallucis longus muscle: This muscle is located in the leg and extends the big toe. It originates on the lateral side of the tibia (shinbone) and inserts on the base of the first metatarsal bone of the big toe.

  • Function:
    • Dorsiflexion of the big toe (upward movement)

• peroneus/fibularis longus muscle: This muscle is located in the leg and extends towards the outer part of the foot. It originates on the upper part of the fibula (calf bone) and inserts on the base of the first metatarsal bone of the big toe.

• Function:
• Pronation of the foot (outward rotation)
• Abduction of the foot (outward movement)
• Plantar flexion of the foot (downward movement)

B- Lateral Leg Muscles:

• m. fibularis longus: This muscle is located in the leg and extends towards the outer part of the foot. It originates on the upper part of the fibula (calf bone) and inserts on the base of the first metatarsal bone of the big toe.

  • Function:
    • Pronation of the foot (outward rotation)
    • Abduction of the foot (outward movement)
    • Plantar flexion of the foot (downward movement)
    • Supports the arch of the foot

• m. fibularis brevis: This muscle is located in the leg and extends towards the outer part of the foot. It originates on the lower part of the fibula (calf bone) and inserts on the bases of the second and third metatarsal bones of the toes.

  • Function:
    • Pronation of the foot (outward rotation)
    • Abduction of the foot (outward movement)

Additional Information:

• Leg muscles are generally divided into three groups: anterior, posterior, and lateral.
• Anterior leg muscles are generally involved in dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot.
• Posterior leg muscles are generally involved in plantar flexion and inversion of the foot.
• Lateral leg muscles are generally involved in plantar flexion and eversion of the foot.

C- Posterior Leg Muscles

C1- Superficial Group Muscles

• m. gastrocnemius (calf muscle): This is a two-headed muscle located in the calf that provides plantar flexion (downward movement) of the foot. It originates from the posterior part of the femur (thigh bone) and inserts into the calcaneus (heel bone) at the back of the ankle.

  • Function:
    • Plantar flexion of the foot (downward movement)
    • Flexion of the knee joint (bending)

• m. soleus: This is a large muscle located in the calf that provides plantar flexion (downward movement) of the foot. It originates from the posterior part of the tibia (shinbone) and inserts into the calcaneus (heel bone) at the back of the ankle.

  • Function:
    • Plantar flexion of the foot (downward movement)

• m. plantaris: This is a small muscle located in the calf that assists in plantar flexion (downward movement) of the foot. It originates from the posterior part of the femur (thigh bone) and inserts into the calcaneus (heel bone) at the back of the ankle.

• Function:
• Assists in plantar flexion of the foot (downward movement)
• Assists in flexion of the knee joint (bending)

C2- Deep Group Muscles

• m. tibialis posterior: This muscle provides plantar flexion and inversion of the foot.
• m. flexor digitorum longus: This muscle flexes the 2nd to 5th toes and assists in plantar flexion of the foot.
• m. flexor hallucis longus: This muscle flexes the big toe and assists in plantar flexion of the foot.
• m. popliteus: This muscle flexes and internally rotates the leg. It is also the only muscle in the posterior compartment that does not produce plantar flexion of the foot.

Here is the translation of the functions you listed for the deep group muscles:

• m. tibialis posterior: Performs plantar flexion and inversion movements of the foot.
• m. flexor digitorum longus: Performs flexion movements of the foot and the 2nd to 5th toes.
• m. flexor hallucis longus: Performs flexion movement of the foot and the big toe.
• m. popliteus: Performs flexion and internal rotation movement of the leg, and it is also the only muscle that does not perform flexion movement of the foot.

Tendo Calcaneus (Achilles) - The Thickest and Strongest Tendon in the Body

The Tendo Calcaneus, also known as the Achilles tendon, is the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body. It is formed by the union of the calf muscles (m. gastrocnemius and m. soleus). These muscles provide plantar flexion (downward movement) of the foot.

The Tendo Calcaneus starts from the calf muscles and attaches to the calcaneus (heel bone) at the back of the ankle. This tendon plays an important role in plantar flexion of the ankle. It allows the foot to push off the ground and move during activities such as walking, running, and jumping.

Tendo Calcaneus injuries are common, especially in athletes. These injuries can be in the form of overstretching or tearing of the tendon. Tendon ruptures usually occur with a sudden and forceful movement during sports activities.

Symptoms of Tendo Calcaneus injuries include:

• Pain in the ankle
• Swelling of the ankle
• Difficulty moving the ankle

Treatment of Tendo Calcaneus injuries varies depending on the severity of the injury. In mild injuries, treatments such as rest, ice application, compression, and elevation (RICE) can be applied. More serious injuries may require surgical intervention.

The following measures can be taken to prevent Tendo Calcaneus injuries:

• Preparing the muscles by doing warm-up and cool-down exercises
• Avoiding sudden and forceful movements of the ankle
• Wearing appropriate shoes

Tendo Calcaneus injuries usually heal with early diagnosis and treatment. However, the healing process can be lengthy and the injury can recur.