Logan Steele
Muscle compartments refer to the discrete regions of the body that contain groups of muscles. These compartments are enclosed spaces formed by fascia or a combination of fascia and bone. Compartments usually have separate nerve and blood supplies from their neighbours, with all the muscles within a compartment supplied by the same nerve. The upper limb, for example, is divided into three regions: the hand, the arm, and the forearm, with the arm further divided into anterior and posterior compartments. The lower leg also contains four muscle compartments: the anterior, lateral, posterior deep leg, and posterior superficial compartments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A muscle compartment is an enclosed space formed by fascia or by a combination of fascia and bone that contains one or more muscles. |
| Location | Muscle compartments are present in the upper extremity, arms, and legs. |
| Composition | Compartments are formed by tough connective tissue septa and surrounded by deep crural fascia. |
| Function | Compartments contain groups of muscles that work together to perform specific movements, such as plantar flexion, eversion of the foot, and flexion of the toes. |
| Neurovascular Supply | Each compartment usually has separate nerve and blood supplies from its neighbours. All the muscles within a compartment are generally supplied by the same nerve. |
| Compartment Syndrome | Compartment syndrome is a condition related to muscle compartments, as evident by its name. |
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What You'll Learn
- Muscle compartments are well-defined regions that contain a group of muscles within a particular segment of the body
- The lower leg contains four muscle compartments: the anterior, lateral, posterior deep leg, and posterior superficial compartments
- The upper limb is divided into three regions: the hand, the arm, and the forearm
- The anterior compartment, also known as the extensor compartment, contains muscles that dorsiflex or extend the foot at the ankle joint
- The muscles of the deep posterior group are involved with flexion of the toes as well as stabilization of the knee and arch of the foot
Muscle compartments are well-defined regions that contain a group of muscles within a particular segment of the body
The upper limb, for example, is divided into three regions: the hand, the arm, and the forearm. The two proximal regions, the arm and the forearm, are further divided into two compartments each: the anterior and posterior compartments. The anterior compartment of the arm contains the long and short heads of the biceps brachii, brachialis, and coracobrachialis muscles, all of which are innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve and supplied by the brachial artery. The posterior compartment of the arm contains the long, short, and medial heads of the triceps brachii muscle, as well as the anconeus.
The lower limbs are also divided into compartments. The thigh, for example, is usually divided into three compartments, each supplied by a specific nerve. The leg is divided into four compartments by the interosseous membrane of the leg, the transverse intermuscular septum, and the posterior intermuscular septum. The four compartments of the leg are the anterior compartment, the lateral compartment, the posterior deep leg compartment, and the posterior superficial compartment. The muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg are involved in dorsiflexion or extension of the foot at the ankle joint, as well as flexion of the toes. The lateral compartment contains muscles that are primarily involved with eversion of the foot, tilting the sole of the leg laterally. The muscles of the posterior deep and superficial compartments are primarily responsible for plantar flexion of the foot, a movement that allows us to stand on our tiptoes.
Knowledge of these anatomic compartments and their contents is important for early diagnosis and treatment, as well as for understanding the benefits and drawbacks of muscle compartmentalisation.
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The lower leg contains four muscle compartments: the anterior, lateral, posterior deep leg, and posterior superficial compartments
Muscle compartments are anatomically distinct segments of the limbs that are enclosed by fascia or a combination of fascia and bone. Each compartment contains one or more muscles, along with distinct sets of vasculature and innervation. The leg is divided into four compartments by the interosseous membrane of the leg, the transverse intermuscular septum, and the posterior intermuscular septum. These compartments include the anterior, lateral, posterior deep leg, and posterior superficial compartments.
The anterior compartment, also known as the extensor compartment, contains muscles that dorsiflex or extend the foot at the ankle joint and muscles that flex the toes. These muscles include the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and fibularis tertius. The anterior tibial artery, vein, and deep fibular nerve are also found within this compartment.
The lateral compartment contains muscles that are primarily involved with eversion of the foot, tilting the sole of the foot laterally. These muscles are the fibularis longus and brevis, which are innervated by the superficial fibular nerve. The anterior intermuscular septum separates the lateral compartment from the anterior compartment, while the posterior intermuscular septum separates it from the posterior compartment.
The posterior compartment, often referred to as the "calf," is further divided into superficial and deep layers by the transverse intermuscular septum. The larger, superficial compartment contains the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles. These muscles are involved in plantar flexion of the ankle. The deep layer of the posterior compartment contains the popliteus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, and tibialis posterior muscles. These muscles are involved in flexion of the toes and stabilization of the knee and arch of the foot. The posterior tibial artery, vein, fibular artery, and vein, along with the tibial nerve, are also found within the posterior compartment.
The lower leg's four muscle compartments are essential for various movements in the ankle and foot, such as walking, running, and dancing. Understanding these compartments and their contents is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment in the field of medicine.
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The upper limb is divided into three regions: the hand, the arm, and the forearm
Muscle compartments are anatomically distinct compartments formed by fascia or a combination of fascia and bone that contain one or more muscles. The upper limb, or extremity, is divided into three regions: the hand, the arm, and the forearm.
The hand is located distal to the wrist, and contains eight carpal bones in its base, with the palm formed by five metacarpal bones. The fingers and thumb contain 14 phalanges. The wrist joint is comprised of three parts: the radiocarpal joint, the ulnocarpal joint, and the midcarpal joints. The wrist joint creates torque for the long flexors to perform their movements with higher strength.
The arm is located between the shoulder and elbow joints. It contains one bone, the humerus, which is the single bone of the upper arm region. The brachial plexus supplies all the nerves in the upper extremity. The brachial plexus is formed by the anterior rami of spinal nerve levels C5 through T1. The radial nerve, which supplies the extensor compartment of the arm and forearm, has supply from every root of the brachial plexus.
The forearm is the region between the elbow and wrist joints. It contains two bones, the radius and the ulna. The brachial artery divides into the radial and ulnar, which run down the forearm on their respective sides. The radius acts as a wheel, with the annular ligament that encircles the radial neck and attaches it to the ulna, holding it in place when supination and pronation of the hand occur.
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The anterior compartment, also known as the extensor compartment, contains muscles that dorsiflex or extend the foot at the ankle joint
Muscle compartments are anatomically distinct segments of the limbs that are formed by fascia or a combination of fascia and bone. The leg, for example, is divided into four compartments by the interosseous membrane, the transverse intermuscular septum, and the posterior intermuscular septum.
The anterior compartment, also known as the extensor compartment, is one of the four compartments of the leg. This compartment contains muscles that dorsiflex or extend the foot at the ankle joint. Dorsiflexion is an essential movement of the ankle joint. The muscles in the anterior compartment that contribute to dorsiflexion are the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and fibularis tertius. The extensor digitorum longus originates from the medial surface of the fibula and its tendon attaches to the fifth metatarsal. The extensor hallucis longus, meanwhile, is involved in the extension of digit 1 at the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. The anterior compartment also contains the anterior tibial artery and vein and the deep fibular nerve.
The muscles in the anterior compartment are separated from the deep group of muscles in the posterior compartment by the tibia, fibula, and the interosseous membrane. The transverse intermuscular septum indicates the division between the deep and superficial muscles in the posterior compartment. The deep posterior group includes muscles involved with flexion of the toes and stabilization of the knee and arch of the foot, such as the flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, tibialis posterior, and popliteus. The posterior compartment also contains the posterior tibial artery and vein, the fibular artery and vein, and the tibial nerve, which provides innervation to all the muscles in the compartment.
The lateral compartment of the leg contains muscles that are primarily involved with eversion of the foot, or tilting the sole of the foot laterally. These muscles are the fibularis longus and brevis, and they are innervated by the superficial fibular nerve. The anterior and lateral compartments are separated by the anterior intermuscular septum.
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The muscles of the deep posterior group are involved with flexion of the toes as well as stabilization of the knee and arch of the foot
Muscle compartments refer to the multiple and anatomically distinct segments of the limbs. These segments are enclosed spaces formed by fascia or a combination of fascia and bone, containing one or more muscles. The thigh, for instance, is divided into three compartments, while the leg is divided into four.
The muscles of the deep posterior group are an important set of muscles in the leg. They are involved in flexion of the toes, stabilization of the knee, and support of the arch of the foot. These muscles include the flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, tibialis posterior, and popliteus. The flexor digitorum longus is responsible for flexing the second to fourth toes, while the flexor hallucis longus flexes the great toe. The tibialis posterior aids in inversion and plantar flexion of the foot, and it also supports the medial longitudinal arch of the foot.
The deep posterior group muscles are part of the posterior compartment of the leg. This compartment is separated from the anterior compartment by the tibia, fibula, and the interosseous membrane. The posterior compartment also houses the posterior tibial artery and vein, the fibular artery and vein, and the tibial nerve, which provides innervation to all the muscles within.
The muscles of the deep posterior group play a crucial role in foot function, offering stability, enabling movement, and providing support. They are considered extrinsic foot muscles, originating outside the foot and extending into it. The tibialis posterior, in particular, is essential in preventing flat foot by supporting the medial longitudinal arch.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle compartments are well-defined regions that contain groups of muscles within a particular segment of the body.
The upper limb is divided into three regions: the hand, the arm, and the forearm. The arm is further divided into two compartments, the anterior and posterior. The anterior compartment contains the long and short heads of the biceps brachii, brachialis, and coracobrachialis muscles. The posterior compartment is home to the long, short, and medial heads of the triceps brachii muscle, as well as the anconeus.
The lower leg contains four muscle compartments: the anterior compartment, lateral compartment, posterior deep leg compartment, and posterior superficial compartment. The muscles in these compartments are involved in movements such as plantar flexion, eversion of the foot, and flexion of the toes.
