Which muscles are innervated by the tibial nerve?

The tibial nerve is a vital structure in the lower limb that supplies motor innervation to several key muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg. The correct answer highlights specific muscles innervated by this nerve: the gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris, and popliteus.

The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are essential for plantarflexion of the foot, which is crucial for movements like walking, running, and jumping. The plantaris, while often considered a weak muscle, also assists in plantarflexion and helps stabilize the knee. The popliteus plays a significant role in unlocking the knee joint from full extension and initiating flexion, further underscoring its importance in leg movement.

The other options encompass muscles that are either innervated by different nerves or involve muscle groups unrelated to the tibial nerve's functions. For example, the quadriceps and hamstrings are primarily innervated by the femoral and sciatic nerves, respectively. The anterior tibialis and peroneals are associated with the deep peroneal and superficial peroneal nerves, while the biceps and triceps are innervated by the musculocutaneous and radial nerves, respectively. Each incorrect option shows muscle groups serviced