Fascial compartments of leg

Fascial compartments of leg are divisions in the lower limb, separated by layers of fascia, allowing for compartmentalization of distinct groups of muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. These compartments help to prevent the spread of infections and also play a role in the management of fractures and soft tissue injuries.

Etymology

The term "fascia" is derived from the Latin word "fascis", meaning "bundle". This is in reference to the bundles of muscles that the fascia surrounds and compartmentalizes.

Anatomy

The leg is divided into three fascial compartments: the anterior, lateral, and posterior compartments. Each compartment contains a distinct group of muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

Anterior Compartment

The anterior compartment contains the dorsiflexors of the foot and is innervated by the deep fibular nerve. The muscles in this compartment include the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and fibularis tertius.

Lateral Compartment

The lateral compartment contains the evertors of the foot and is innervated by the superficial fibular nerve. The muscles in this compartment include the fibularis longus and fibularis brevis.

Posterior Compartment

The posterior compartment is further divided into deep and superficial compartments. The superficial compartment contains the plantar flexors of the foot and is innervated by the tibial nerve. The muscles in this compartment include the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris. The deep compartment contains the popliteus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, and tibialis posterior.

Clinical Significance

Fascial compartments are clinically significant in the management of compartment syndrome, a condition characterized by increased pressure within one of the body's compartments, leading to insufficient blood supply to the tissue within that space.

See Also

• Fascia
• Compartment syndrome
• Lower limb

References

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  Anterior compartment of the leg - anterior view

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  Lateral compartment of the leg - posterior view

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  Deep posterior compartment of the leg - posterior view

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  Superficial posterior compartment of the leg - posterior view

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  Fascial compartments of the leg - animation

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  Fascial compartments of the leg