Tibialis posterior (Musculus tibialis posterior)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The deepest deep-posterior-compartment muscle; its tendon passes behind the medial malleolus in its own groove then fans over the sole to metatarsals 2–3 and the cuneiforms — the longitudinal arch’s chief support.
Origin & insertion
Posterior tibia, interosseous membrane and fibula.
Action
Inverts the foot, assists plantarflexion and braces both arches at every step.
Innervation
Tibial nerve (L4–L5).
Clinical notes
Adult dysfunction creates acquired flatfoot with forefoot abduction; its tendon rupture at the medial malleolus is diagnosed late because swelling is blamed on a sprain.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Tibialis posterior?
The deepest deep-posterior-compartment muscle; its tendon passes behind the medial malleolus in its own groove then fans over the sole to metatarsals 2–3 and the cuneiforms — the longitudinal arch’s chief support.
Why is the Tibialis posterior clinically important?
Adult dysfunction creates acquired flatfoot with forefoot abduction; its tendon rupture at the medial malleolus is diagnosed late because swelling is blamed on a sprain.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details