Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2024

50 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

proximal and posterior aspect of the tibia. It helps to form part of the floor of the popliteal fossa, a diamond-shaped space on the posterior aspect of the knee. The function of the popliteus is to medially rotate the flexed knee and aid in flexing the knee. The gastrocnemius is a powerful muscle located in the posterior aspect of the lower leg. It is one of the primary muscles involved in plantar flexion, as well as assisting in knee flexion. The gastrocnemius is considered one of the calf muscles and assists with walking, running and jumping. 10 The gastrocnemius muscle has two fairly distinct portions or heads. These heads originate from the posterior surfaces of the condyles of the femur. The muscle then merges into a single tendon, known as the Achilles tendon or calcaneal tendon, which inserts onto the calcaneus. The primary function of the gastrocnemius is to perform plantar flexion of the ankle and aid in flexion of the knee. These actions are crucial for activities like walking, running and jumping. The soleus is a muscle located on the posterior aspect of the lower leg and lies deep to the gastrocnemius muscle and, along with that muscle, forms the calf muscles. The soleus plays a critical role in movements such as walking, running and standing by assisting in plantar flexion of the foot. The soleus muscle originates from the soleal line, the proximal posterior surface of the tibia, and the posterior aspect of the head of the fibula. Just like the gastrocnemius, this muscle merges to form the Achilles tendon or calcaneal tendon. The insertion of the soleus is on the calcaneus. The only function of the soleus is plantar flexion of the ankle. It works in conjunction with the gastrocnemius to produce force during push-off when walking or running. The fibularis muscles , also known as the peroneus muscles, is a group of muscles located on the lateral aspect of the lower leg. There are three main fibularis muscles: fibularis longus, fibularis brevis and fibularis tertius. These muscles play a role in ankle movement and foot stabilization.

• The fibularis longus muscle is the longest and most superficial muscle of this group and originates from the head of the fibula and proximal two-thirds of the lateral fibula and inserts on the base of the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform. The function of fibularis longus is to evert the foot and aid in plantar flexion of the ankle. • The fibularis brevis muscle lies deep to the fibularis longus and originates on the distal two-thirds of the lateral fibula and inserts on the base of the fifth metatarsal bone in the foot. The function of fibularis longus is to evert the foot and aid in plantar flexion of the ankle. • The fibularis tertius muscle is located in the anterioir compartment of the leg. It acts to tilt the sole of the foot away from the midline of the body and to pull the foot upwards toward the body. The tibialis anterior is a muscle located on the anterior portion of the lower leg and is the primary muscle responsible for dorsiflexion of the ankle. The tibialis anterior also assists in controlling the descent of the foot during movements such as walking and running. The origin of the tibialis anterior is the lateral condyle of the tibia, the proximal and lateral surface of the tibia, and the interosseous membrane of the lower leg. This muscle inserts onto the medial cuneiform and base of the first metatarsal. The actions of the tibialis anterior are to dorsiflex the ankle and invert the foot. Dorsiflexion of the ankle can also aid in helping the foot clear the ground while walking. The tibialis posterior is a muscle located in the deep posterior compartment of the lower leg. This muscle runs along the posterior portion of the leg deep to gastrocnemius and soleus, and its origin is on the proximal and posterior shafts of the tibia and fibula, and the interosseous membrane of the lower leg. The insertion is on the five tarsal bones and the bases of the second through fourth metatarsals. The tibialis posterior muscle plays a distinct role in maintaining the arch of the foot and

The soleus plays a critical role in movements such as walking, running and standing by assisting in plantar flexion of the foot.

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