Clean the nerves and arteries of the posterior compartment of the leg. (G 6.67;N 506;Gl 34.36)
- Identify the tibial nerve as it courses posterior to the tibialis posterior muscle. The nerve is positioned between the tendons of the flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus muscles at the level of the medial malleolus.
- Identify the posterior tibial artery adjacent to the tibial nerve.
- Identify the peroneal (fibular) artery positioned between the tibialis posterior and flexor hallucis longus muscles adjacent to the interosseous membrane.
Important Relationship
- Near the ankle, the tibial nerve is positioned anterior-medial to the flexor hallucis longus muscle.
- The tibial nerve passes posterior to the tibia (medial malleolus).
- Near the ankle, the posterior tibial artery is positioned posterior-lateral to the flexor digitorum longus muscle.
- Near the ankle, the posterior tibial artery is positioned anterior-medial to the flexor hallucis longus muscle.
- The posterior tibial artery passes posterior to the tibia (medial malleolus).
