The posterior compartment includes the very important propulsive muscles, the plantar flexors. This compartment is further subdivided into a superficial portion and a deep portion. The superficial part houses the triceps surae (gastrocnemius and soleus) and the small plantaris muscles. The deep part includes (medial to lateral) the flexor digitorum longus, the tibialis posterior and the flexor hallucis longus. The popliteus can be included in this group, it lies very deep, against the bones of the back of the knee.

This compartment is innervated by the tibial nerve and receives arterial blood from the posterior tibial and peroneal arteries.