Tarsal tunnel

From Food & Medicine Encyclopedia

Tarsal Tunnel
Tarsal Tunnel

Tarsal tunnel is located on the inner side of the foot, specifically near the ankle, that connects the tibia with the foot with a fibrous band. Most of the nerves, and blood vessels(the tibial nerve, posterior tibial artery and tendons of the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallicus longus muscles, passing deep to the flexor retinaculum) that supply the foot travel through this tunnel and excess pressure in this tunnel can lead to what is called [[tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Tarsal tunnel
Tarsal tunnel


Muscle Origin Insertion Artery Nerve Action Antagonist
popliteus middle facet of lateral surface of lateral femoral condyle posterior tibia under tibial condyles popliteal artery tibial nerve medially rotates and flexes knee
tarsal tunnel
    flexor hallucis longus posterior surface of upper 1/3 of fibula base of distal phalanx of hallux fibular artery (peroneal branch of posterior tibial artery tibial nerve, S1, S2 nerve roots flexes all joints of big toe, plantarflexes ankle extensor hallucis longus
    flexor digitorum longus medial tibia distal phalanges of lateral four digits posterior tibial artery tibial nerve flexes toes extensor digitorum longus, extensor digitorum brevis
    tibialis posterior tibia, fibula navicular, medial cuneiform inverts foot, plantarflexes foot at ankle tibialis anterior

Table adapted from Wikipedia

See also[edit]


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