Dissection of posterior aspect of left leg

Plantaris muscle, close-up view of muscle belly and nerves supply

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Image #195-3

Dissection of posterior aspect of left leg

Plantaris muscle, close-up view of muscle belly and nerves supply

The plantaris muscle, which is absent from the specimen used for most of the views in this series, is shown in this close-up view of the upper posterior part of the left leg of a different specimen. The long, slender tendon of insertion (14) is visible for only a short distance in its course to the calcaneus.

1. Popliteal surface
2. Muscular branch of tibial nerve (to plantaris muscle)
3. Plantaris muscle
4. Muscular branch of tibial nerve (to soleus muscle)
5. Lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle
6. Soleus muscle
7. Medial head of gastrocnemius muscle (cut off)
8. Tibial nerve (elevated)
9. Adductor magnus muscle (tendon of insertion)
10. Gastrocnemius muscle (origin of medial head)
11. Medial epicondyle of femur
12. Semimembranosus muscle (insertion)
13. Popliteus muscle
14. Tendon of plantaris muscle