Tarsal tunnel

Tarsal tunnel
The mucous sheaths of the tendons around the ankle. Medial aspect.
Dorlands/Elsevier	t_23/12832517

The tarsal tunnel is found along the inner leg behind the medial malleolus.

The tarsal tunnel is made up of bone on the inside and the flexor retinaculum on the outside.

Nerve distribution

The posterior tibial nerve, a major artery, veins, and tendons travel in a bundle along this pathway, through the tarsal tunnel. In the tunnel, the nerve splits into three different paths.

One nerve (calcaneal) continues to the heel, the other two (medial plantar nerve and lateral plantar nerve) continue on to the bottom of the foot.

Contents of tunnel

• Tibialis posterior
• Flexor digitorum longus
• Posterior tibial artery
• Posterior tibial vein
• Tibial nerve
• Flexor hallucis longus

One common mnemonic used to remember the contents is "Tom, Dick and Harry". or alternatively Tom, Dick and very nervous Harry if the nerve and blood vessels are included

See also

• tarsal tunnel syndrome
• carpal tunnel

Additional images

• 

  Coronal section through right talocrural and talocalcaneal joints.

• 

  Muscles of the back of the leg. Deep layer.

• 

  The popliteal, posterior tibial, and peroneal arteries.

• 

  Nerves of the right lower extremity Posterior view.

• 

  Muscles of the sole of the foot. Second layer.

• 

  The plantar arteries. Deep view.

• 

  The plantar nerves.

External links

• Description at curtin.edu.au