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 & 1^st 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)