Step 2 - Dissection of the Posterior Thigh and Leg

Preparation: Continue skinning the leg preserving the cutaneous nerves and superficial veins as seen in this dissection. Cutaneous nerves you can expect to find include the medial sural cutaneous and lateral sural cutaneous. Remember you have already dissected the saphenous nerve to the leg. Find the small (short) and great (long) saphenous veins.

1. Clean the lateral and medial heads of the gastrocnemius muscle as shown. Place your forceps beneath the medial head and reflect it to expose the soleus and plantaris muscles. Then place your forceps beneath the medial head of the soleus muscle and reflect it to expose the tibial n., posterior tibial a. and muscles of the deep compartment, which include the flexor hallucis longus, tibialis posterior, and flexor digitorum longus muscles.

2. Open the flexor retinaculum behind the medial malleolus and free the tendons of the muscles (Tom, Dick and Harry) as they enter the sole of the foot.