Crural fascia

Looks like

The tough deep sleeve of fascia that wraps the whole lower leg under the skin and fat.

What it does

Holds the leg muscles together, helps the calf pump push blood up and forms the leg compartments.

Keeping it well

Swelling inside it after a fracture or crush causes compartment syndrome: pain out of proportion to the injury is an emergency.

Related conditions

• Achilles tendon rupture
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Compartment syndrome
• Growing pains
• Lymphangitis
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Restless legs syndrome
• Superficial thrombophlebitis
• Varicose veins
• Venomous snakebite