The deep posterior compartment of the leg contains the following muscles:

The popliteus muscle is a deep muscle of the posterior group of the lower leg.

Origin: lateral condyle of the femur, posterior horn of the lateral meniscus.

Insertion: posterior surface of the tibia above the soleal line.

Action: unlocks the knee joint, stabilizes the knee joint, flexion of the leg at the knee joint, internal rotation of the tibia.

Innervation: tibial nerve (L4 - S1).

Blood supply: medial inferior genicular artery, branches of the posterior tibial artery.

The tibialis posterior muscle is a deep muscle of the posterior group of the lower leg muscles.

Origin: posterior surface of the tibia and posterior surface of the fibula, and the interosseous membrane of the leg.

Insertion: tuberosity of the navicular bone, cuboid bone, and cuneiform bones, bases of the 2nd to 4th metatarsal bones, sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus.

Action: plantarflexion and inversion of the foot, also supports the medial longitudinal arch of the foot.

Innervation: tibial nerve (L4 - L5).

Blood supply: branches of the posterior tibial artery, peroneal (fibular) artery.

The flexor digitorum longus muscle is a deep muscle of the posterior group of the lower leg muscles.

Origin: posterior surface of the tibia below the soleal line.

Insertion: bases of the distal phalanges of the 2nd through 5th toes.

Action: flexion of the toes at the 2nd - 5th metatarsophalangeal joints and 2nd - 5th interphalangeal joints, plantarflexion of the foot.

Innervation: tibial nerve (L5 - S2).

Blood supply: branches of the posterior tibial artery.

The flexor hallucis longus muscle is a deep muscle belonging to the posterior group of the lower leg muscles.

Origin: inferior two-thirds of the posterior surface of the fibula, interosseous membrane of the leg.

Insertion: base of the distal phalanx of the hallux (or big toe).

Action: flexion of the hallux, plantarflexion of the foot.

Innervation: tibial nerve (S2 - S3).

Blood supply: branches of the posterior tibial artery and peroneal (fibular) artery.

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Deep posterior compartment of leg muscles