Vascular: Compartment Anatomy
Upper Extremity Compartments
Upper Arm Compartments (x3)
- Anterior (Flexors)
- Posterior (Extensors)
- Deltoid
Forearm Compartments (x3)
- Volar (Flexors) – Most Common
- Dorsal (Extensors)
- Lateral/Mobile Wad (Brachioradialis & Extensor Carpi Radialis Muscles) – Rare
Hand Compartments (x10)
- Thenar
- Hypothenar
- Dorsal Interosseous x4
- Volar Interosseous x3
- Adductor Pollicis
Arm Compartments 1
Forearm Compartments 1
Hand Compartments 2
Lower Extremity Compartments
Buttock Compartments (x3)
- Gluteus Maximus
- Gluteus Medius & Gluteus Minimus
- Tensor Fascia Lata
Thigh Compartments (x3)
- Anterior (Quadriceps & Sartorius)
- Posterior (Hamstring)
- Medial/Adductor
Calf Compartments (x4)
- Anterior – Most Commonly Affected Compartment
- First to Be Affected (First Web Space Numbness is an Early Finding)
- Lateral
- Deep Posterior – Most Commonly Missed Compartment
- Superficial Posterior
Foot Compartments (x4-9, Debated)
- Interosseous (May Be x4 Separate)
- Medial
- Lateral
- Central (May Be x3 Separate – Superficial/Middle/Deep)
Thigh Compartments 1
Calf Compartments 1
Calf Compartment Contents
Neurovascular Contents
- Anterior
- Anterior Tibial Artery
- Deep Peroneal Nerve (Dorsiflexion & 1st Webspace Sensation)
- Lateral
- Superficial Peroneal Nerve (Eversion & Lateral Foot Sensation)
- Deep Posterior
- Posterior Tibial Artery
- Peroneal Artery
- Tibial Nerve (Plantar Flexion)
- Superficial Posterior
- Sural Nerve
Muscles
- Anterior
- Tibialis Anterior
- Extensor Hallucis Longus
- Extensor Digitorum Longus
- Lateral
- Peroneus Brevis
- Peroneus Longus
- Deep Posterior
- Tibialis Posterior
- Flexor Hallucis Longus
- Flexor Digitorum Longus
- Superficial Posterior
- Soleus
- Gastrocnemius
Calf Compartment Contents 1
References
- Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body (1918). Public Domain.
- Reichman EF. Compartment Syndrome of the Hand: A Little Thought about Diagnosis. Case Rep Emerg Med. 2016;2016:2907067. (License: CC BY-4.0)
