Muscles of the leg (Posterior view) (Latin)

The compartimentum posterius cruris can be divided into superficial and deep parts by the septum intermusculare transversum cruris. The mm. superficiales compartimenti posterioris include the m. gastrocnemius, m. soleus and m. plantaris. The large m. gastrocnemius and m. soleus collectively form the m. triceps surae which is a powerful plantar flexor of the foot at the art. talocruralis. A large shared common tendon, the tendo calcaneus (a.k.a. tendo Achilles) extends from the muscle bellies of the m. triceps surae to insert onto the posterior aspect of the calcaneus. The m. plantaris has a short belly and a long tendon which extends along the posterior leg (crus) to insert onto the posterior calcaneus. This muscle contributes to proprioception during plantarflexion of the art. talocruralis. The mm. profundi compartimenti posterioris comprise four muscles: the m. popliteus, m. flexor digitorum longus, m. flexor hallucis longus, and m. tibialis posterior. The short m. popliteus acts on the art. genus, while the rest of the mm. profundi compartimenti posterioris contribute to plantarflexion of the foot (pes) at the art. talocruralis, in addition to other individual functions. The m. flexor digitorum longus and m. flexor hallucis longus also contribute to flexion of the toes at the artt. metatarsophalangeae and artt. interphalangeae.