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Crural muscles are those that move the ankle, foot, and toes. They are subdivided into two groups: superficial and deep. The superficial group forms the calf of the leg and includes the Gastrocnemius, which is the most superficial muscle of the group. The deep group includes muscles such as the Flexor digitorum longus and the Plantaris. The crural fascia, which envelops the crural muscles, also has a superficial layer and a deep layer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Term for muscles moving the ankle, foot, and toes |
| Types | Extensor digitorum longus, Extensor hallucis longus, Tibialis anterior, Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Flexor digitorum longus, Flexor hallucis longus |
| Functions | Dorsiflexes the foot, extends toes 2-5, plantar flexes the foot, inverts the foot, flexes the leg, flexes the foot, flexes the great toe |
| Location | Back of the leg, subdivided into two groups: superficial and deep |
| Appearance | Powerful muscular mass, forming the calf of the leg |
| Crural Fascia | Has a superficial layer extending to the metatarsus and a deep layer, united near the distal tendons of various muscles |
| Crural Extensor Retinaculum | Formed by the thickening of the deep crural fascia, enveloping the long digital extensor and cranial tibial tendons |
| Tarsal Extensor Retinaculum | Also formed by the thickening of the deep crural fascia, enveloping the long digital extensor muscle |
| Injury Considerations | Traction-induced injury related to muscles of the superficial and deep posterior compartments implicated in medial tibial stress syndrome |
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What You'll Learn
Crural muscles move the ankle, foot, and toes
Crural muscles are responsible for moving the ankle, foot, and toes. These muscles are located in the back of the leg and are subdivided into two groups: superficial and deep. The superficial group constitutes a powerful muscular mass, forming the calf of the leg. The most superficial muscle in this group is the Gastrocnemius, which flexes the leg and plantar flexes the foot. The Plantaris is another muscle in the superficial group, acting as an accessory to the Gastrocnemius and plantar-flexing the ankle joint.
The deep group of crural muscles includes the Flexor hallucis longus and Flexor digitorum longus. The Flexor hallucis longus is situated on the fibular side of the leg and helps to flex the foot and great toe. The Flexor digitorum longus flexes the foot and the MP, PIP, and DIP joints of toes 2-5. The Extensor digitorum longus dorsiflexes the foot and extends toes 2-5, while the Extensor hallucis longus dorsiflexes the foot and extends the great toe.
The Tibialis anterior is also a deep crural muscle that inverts the foot. The Soleus is another deep muscle that plantar flexes the foot. The Popliteus is a unique crural muscle that flexes the knee joint and rotates the tibia medially. The crural muscles are supported by the crural fascia, which has a superficial layer extending to the metatarsus and a deep layer that thickens to form the crural extensor retinaculum.
The crural fascia envelops the tendons and superficial muscles of the hindpaw, securing them to the bones. The deep fascia is stronger than the superficial fascia but is deeper and more difficult to palpate. In terms of nerve supply, the Plantaris is supplied by the medial popliteal (tibial) nerve. The crural muscles and associated structures can be affected by various conditions, such as medial tibial stress syndrome and Achilles paratendinopathy.
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The popliteus flexes the knee joint
The popliteus muscle is a small, thin, flat, triangular-shaped muscle in the lower leg. It is a deep muscle of the knee joint, forming the floor of the popliteal fossa. It is also part of the lateral musculature of the knee joint, along with the iliotibial band.
The popliteus muscle is the only muscle in the posterior compartment of the lower leg that acts on the knee and not the ankle. It is a major stabiliser of the knee joint, causing both medial and lateral rotation of the knee. The popliteus is also attached to the lateral meniscus in the knee and draws it backward during knee flexion to prevent the meniscus from being crushed between the tibia and femur as the knee flexes.
The function of the popliteus muscle depends on the position of the lower extremity. During the closed-chain phase of the gait cycle, when the foot is in contact with the ground, the popliteus externally rotates the femur on the tibia. This is also referred to as the "unlocking" of the knee. In the open-chain phase, or swing phase, of the gait cycle, when the involved limb is not in contact with the ground, the popliteus acts to internally rotate the tibia on the femur. This is also referred to as the "locking" of the knee.
The popliteus muscle is supplied by the tibial nerve, from spinal nerve roots L4 through S1, with approximately 2 to 3 parallel tibial nerve branches. The entry point of the nerve is the lateral distal margin of the muscle, which is found inferior to the fibular head, and then splits into anterior, medial, and lateral distributions throughout the muscle.
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The flexor hallucis longus is situated on the fibular side of the leg
The crural muscles, or the muscles of the back of the leg, are subdivided into two groups: superficial and deep. The superficial group forms the calf of the leg and is characterised by its large size, which is directly related to humans' ability to walk and run.
The flexor hallucis longus is a muscle that is situated on the fibular side of the leg. It is a powerful muscle that comprises the deep layer of the posterior compartment of the leg. It is part of a group called the deep flexors of the calf, which also includes the popliteus, flexor digitorum longus, and tibialis posterior muscles.
The flexor hallucis longus arises from the posterior two-thirds of the fibula and descends on the fibular side of the leg. It then crosses over the posterior part of the ankle to emerge on the sole of the foot, where it passes anteriorly to insert on the great toe (hallux). The tendon of the flexor hallucis longus passes through the tarsal tunnel, a narrow space found on the medial side of the ankle, and is covered by the flexor retinaculum.
The primary action of the flexor hallucis longus is flexion of all the joints of the great toe. It also has additional functions such as plantar flexion and foot inversion, although this action is weaker compared to the triceps surae. The flexor hallucis longus is innervated by the tibial nerve, composed of spinal roots L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3. It receives most of its nerve supply from S1 and S2 but also receives innervation from L5 via the muscular branch of the tibial nerve.
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The gastrocnemius is the most superficial muscle of the group
The gastrocnemius is part of a group of muscles known as the triceps surae, which also includes the soleus and plantaris muscles. The triceps surae is a three-headed group of muscles, with the gastrocnemius contributing two muscle bellies and one tendon. The tendon of the gastrocnemius merges with the tendon of the soleus muscle to form the Achilles tendon. The gastrocnemius is considered a superficial muscle as it is located directly under the skin, and its shape can often be visualized through the skin.
The gastrocnemius is involved in many basic activities such as walking, running, and leaping. It provides the force behind propulsion for these activities. The medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius are the only components that cross the knee joint, and they play an important role in stabilizing the posterior knee during walking and running. The gastrocnemius is also involved in plantar flexion of the foot at the ankle, which is important for propulsion during running and jumping.
The gastrocnemius is a powerful muscle and its large size is one of the most characteristic features of the muscular apparatus in humans. Its function is closely related to the erect human attitude and mode of progression, including walking and running. The muscle is supplied by the sural nerve, which lies close to the gastrocnemius fascia. It is important to identify and protect this nerve during any procedures involving the gastrocnemius muscle.
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Crural fascia has a superficial layer that extends to the metatarsus
The crural muscles are the muscles of the back of the leg, which are subdivided into two groups: superficial and deep. The superficial group forms the calf of the leg, while the deep group includes muscles such as the flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus.
The crural fascia, a flat, enveloping connective tissue that weaves throughout the body, also has a superficial layer and a deep layer. The superficial layer extends to the metatarsus, while the deep layer thickens to form the crural extensor retinaculum, which envelops the long digital extensor and cranial tibial tendons. These tendons and muscles are secured to the bones in the hindpaw.
The superficial and deep layers of the crural fascia are united near the distal tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus, contributing to the common calcaneal tendon. They are also united to the distal tendons of the semimembranosus and cranial tibial muscles.
The crural fascia is closely associated with the proximal sartorius muscle, the femoral canal, and the gracilis muscle. The fascia lata, or iliotibial band in humans, is a strong lateral femoral fascia that attaches to the lateral femur. The medial femoral fascia joins the lateral femoral fascia to envelop the thigh and attach to the medial femur.
The crural fascia is also involved in surgical procedures, such as injections or dissections, where it is important to avoid damaging nearby vessels, nerves, and connective tissues.
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Frequently asked questions
Crural muscles are the muscles that move the ankle, foot, and toes.
The superficial muscles in the crural region include the Gastrocnemius, which forms the greater part of the calf, the Flexor digitorum longus, and the Plantaris.
The deep muscles in the crural region include the Popliteus, which flexes the knee joint, the Flexor hallucis longus, and the Extensor digitorum longus.
