Interosseous membrane of the leg

Interosseous membrane of the leg
Cross-section through middle of leg. (Interosseus membrane labeled at upper right.)
Latin	membrana interossea cruris, ligamentum tibiofibulare medium
Gray's	subject #94 348
Dorlands/Elsevier	m_08/12522106

The interosseous membrane of the leg (middle tibiofibular ligament) extends between the interosseous crests of the tibia and fibula, and separates the muscles on the front from those on the back of the leg.

It consists of a thin, aponeurotic lamina composed of oblique fibers, which for the most part run downward and lateralward; some few fibers, however, pass in the opposite direction.

It is broader above than below. Its upper margin does not quite reach the tibiofibular joint, but presents a free concave border, above which is a large, oval aperture for the passage of the anterior tibial vessels to the front of the leg.

In its lower part is an opening for the passage of the anterior peroneal vessels.

It is continuous below with the interosseous ligament of the tibiofibular syndesmosis, and presents numerous perforations for the passage of small vessels.

It is in relation, in front, with the Tibialis anterior, Extensor digitorum longus, Extensor hallucis proprius, Peronæus tertius, and the anterior tibial vessels and deep peroneal nerve; behind, with the Tibialis posterior and Flexor hallucis longus.

Additional images

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  Bones of the right leg. Anterior surface.

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  Right knee-joint. Posterior view.

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  The popliteal, posterior tibial, and peroneal arteries.

External links

• interosseous+membrane+of+leg at eMedicine Dictionary
• Diagrams at massagetherapy.com

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.