The leg is divided into three compartments by tough fasciae to hold the muscles and proper functioning of these muscles during their contraction. These compartments also contain nerves and vessels. The three main compartments are anterior (extensor), lateral (fibular) and posterior (flexor). The anterior compartment (Extensor compartment) contains muscles which are used for extension (dorsiflexion) of the foot as these muscles have origin in the leg and are inserted in the bones of foot crossing the ankle joint anteriorly. “When acting from below they pull the body forward on the fixed foot while walking” (Gray’s 1411-1428). The muscles are Tibialis anterior, extensor …show more content…
Question: What in the configuration of the anterior compartment makes this region particularly liable to an increase in intracompartmental pressure?
The anterior compartment of the legis particularly liable to increased compartmental pressure as it is the least expansible of the three, surrounded by bones and tough fascia. A person doing sudden and excessive exercise e.g. walking, running has increased use of the unaccustomed muscles in the anterior compartment leading to their swelling. The swelling leads to compression of blood supply as well as nerve supply of the compartment muscles which leads to damage and necrosis of the compartment muscles. The most vulnerable of the muscle is Tibialis anterior.
3. Identify the major nerves and blood vessels in the compartment (Anterior …show more content…
This is due to the Collateral circulation in the lower part of the leg (ankle). The collateral circulation is provided by the two main arteries of the other two compartments of the leg, i.e. Posterior Tibial artery from the posterior compartment and peroneal artery from the peroneal compartment. The Posterior Tibial artery, which is the main artery of posterior compartment, gives perforating, branches to extensor digitorum longus. The perforatingbranches of the peroneal artery also contributeto the extensor digitorum longus muscle. Thus Extensor digitorum longus is supplied by all three main arteries of the leg. The extensor halluces longus also gets a contribution from perforation branches of peroneal artery. This circulation helps the blood supply to the anterior compartment muscles during increased pressures in it compartment such as