KnotesFree Orthopaedic & FRCS notes, viva stations and higher order SBAs

Leg origins and insertions

High YieldFoot & AnklethinKbox SBA

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

Leg origins and insertions

Written/reviewed by Kishore Puthezhath

Professor of Orthopaedics and Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

FRCS (Tr & Orth) revision resource

Reviewed: September 2026