Leg origins and insertions
Anterior compartment
- Tibialis anterior: lateral tibia → medial cuneiform and base of first metatarsal
- EHL: fibula → distal phalanx of hallux
- EDL: tibia/fibula → lesser toe extensor expansions
- Peroneus tertius: distal fibula → base of fifth metatarsal
Lateral compartment
- Peroneus longus: fibula → base of first metatarsal and medial cuneiform
- Peroneus brevis: fibula → base of fifth metatarsal
Superficial posterior compartment
- Gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris → Achilles tendon to calcaneus
Deep posterior compartment
- Tibialis posterior → navicular and midfoot insertions
- FDL → distal phalanges of lesser toes
- FHL → distal phalanx of hallux
Diagram

Written/reviewed by Kishore Puthezhath
Professor of Orthopaedics and Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon
FRCS (Tr & Orth) revision resource
Reviewed: September 2026