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Tibialis posterior

The tibialis posterior (Latin: musculus tibialis posterior) is a long, relatively thin leg muscle. It is the deepest muscle of the posterior compartment of the leg. The tibialis posterior is situated most centrally of all leg muscles and is also the strongest among the posterior compartment muscles. The deep group of the posterior compartment of leg muscles also includes the popliteus, flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus muscles.

Tibialis posterior
OriginPosterior surface of tibia, posterior surface of fibula, interosseous membrane of leg
InsertionTuberosity of navicular bone, cuboid bone, cuneiform bones, bases of metatarsal bones 2-4, sustentaculum tali of calcaneus
ActionFoot plantarflexion, foot inversion, supports medial longitudinal arch of foot
InnervationTibial nerve (L4 - L5)
Blood supply Branches of posterior tibial artery, peroneal (fibular) artery

 

Origin

The tibialis posterior muscle originates from the upper half of the posterior surfaces of the tibia and fibula. Also, it arises from the interosseous membrane of the leg.

 

Insertion

The tibialis posterior inserts on the tuberosity of the navicular bone, cuboid bone, all cuneiform bones, bases of the second to fourth metatarsal bones and sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus.

Tibialis posterior, Insertion of tibialis posterior, Tibialis posterior tendon, Posterior compartment of leg, Deep muscles, Deep posterior leg muscles, Leg muscles, Posterior compartment muscles, Human foot
Tibialis posterior tendon by Anatomy.app

 

Action

The tibialis posterior muscle provides foot plantarflexion at the talocrural (ankle) joint and foot inversion at the subtalar and midtarsal joints. It also supports the medial longitudinal arch of the foot.

 

Innervation

The tibialis posterior is innervated by the tibial nerve (L4 - L5) - a branch of the sciatic nerve.

 

Blood supply

The tibialis posterior receives arterial blood supply from the branches of the posterior tibial artery, mainly from the peroneal (fibular) artery.