Deep posterior compartment of the leg

Last revised by Craig Hacking ◉ ◈ on 15 Aug 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Hacking C, Sarangi P, Murphy A, et al. Deep posterior compartment of the leg. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 28 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-40348

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-40348

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/40348

rID:

40348

Article created:

18 Oct 2015, Craig Hacking ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Last revised:

15 Aug 2021, Craig Hacking ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Revisions:

8 times, by 4 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal

Sections:

Anatomy

The deep posterior compartment of the leg is one of the four compartments in the leg between the knee and foot. Muscles within this compartment primarily produce ankle plantarflexion and toe flexion, with exception of the popliteus which acts on the knee. Of the two posterior compartments, the deep compartment is substantially the smallest.

The leg is separated into anterior, lateral, superficial posterior and deep posterior compartments by intermuscular septa and surrounded by the deep fascia of the leg. The transverse intermuscular septum divides the posterior compartments.