
The human body is a complex system, and its muscles play a crucial role in our movement and stability. One such muscle is the longus muscle, which comes in several forms, each with distinct functions and locations. For example, the fibularis longus (or peroneus longus) is a long muscle in the lateral compartment of the leg, responsible for tilting the sole of the foot away from the body's midline and extending the foot downward. On the other hand, the adductor longus is a skeletal muscle in the thigh, aiding in adduction, while the palmaris longus is a weak flexor in the wrist, assisting in thumb abduction. This text will delve into the anatomy, functions, and clinical significance of these longus muscles, providing insight into their unique roles in our bodies.
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What You'll Learn
- The fibularis longus muscle is a long muscle in the lateral compartment of the leg
- The fibularis longus muscle is innervated by the superficial fibular nerve
- The fibularis longus muscle is involved in plantarflexion and eversion of the foot on the ankle joint
- The adductor longus muscle is a skeletal muscle in the thigh that adducts the thigh
- The palmaris longus muscle is a weak flexor that assists in thumb abduction movements

The fibularis longus muscle is a long muscle in the lateral compartment of the leg
The fibularis longus muscle, also known as the peroneus longus, is a long muscle located in the lateral compartment of the leg. It is the larger muscle in this compartment and is situated superficially, along with the fibularis brevis muscle. The fibularis longus originates from the superior and lateral surface of the fibula and, occasionally, the lateral condyle of the tibia. The muscle fibres converge into a tendon, which descends down the leg and into the foot, running behind the lateral malleolus.
The tendon of the fibularis longus travels through a tunnel in the cuboid bone, along with the tendon of the fibularis brevis. This tunnel is formed by the long plantar ligament and is covered by the superior fibular retinaculum. As the tendon exits the tunnel, it turns laterally, thickening as it moves against the surface of the cuboid bone. This site is often the location of a sesamoid bone.
The fibularis longus then continues medially, inserting onto the lateral surfaces of the medial cuneiform and the first metatarsal bones. It rarely sends slips to the second metatarsal. The route of the tendon and its insertion onto the lateral surfaces indicate its role in maintaining the transverse arch of the foot. The muscle is innervated by the superficial fibular nerve (L5, S1), a branch of the common fibular nerve, and receives its blood supply from the fibular artery, a branch of the posterior tibial artery.
The primary function of the fibularis longus is to produce plantarflexion and eversion of the foot at the ankle joint. It also helps to support the lateral and transverse arches of the foot.
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The fibularis longus muscle is innervated by the superficial fibular nerve
The fibularis longus muscle, also known as the peroneus longus, is a long muscle located in the lateral compartment of the leg. It is one of the largest fibularis muscles and lies superficially to the fibularis brevis. The fibularis longus arises from the head and the superior two-thirds of the lateral fibular shaft, as well as the anterior and posterior crural intermuscular septa. Occasionally, it arises from the lateral condyle of the tibia.
The fibularis longus muscle plays a crucial role in the movement of the ankle joint. Its main function is to produce plantarflexion and eversion of the foot at the ankle. This action allows the foot to turn outwards at the subtalar joint. While the fibularis longus and brevis muscles contribute to plantarflexion, this action is primarily performed by the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.
Additionally, the superficial fibular nerve supplies sensation to the anterior and lateral surfaces of the leg. It innervates the skin over the anterolateral aspect of the lower leg and the dorsum of the foot. However, it does not innervate the first webbed space of the dorsum, which is supplied by the deep fibular nerve. Injury to the superficial fibular nerve can result in a loss of eversion and sensation over the majority of the dorsum of the foot and the anterolateral aspect of the lower leg.
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The fibularis longus muscle is involved in plantarflexion and eversion of the foot on the ankle joint
The fibularis longus muscle, also known as the peroneus longus, is a long, superficial muscle located in the lateral compartment of the leg. It is the longest and most superficial of the three fibularis muscles. The fibularis longus is involved in plantarflexion and eversion of the foot on the ankle joint.
The main function of the fibularis longus is to produce plantarflexion and eversion of the foot at the ankle joint. Plantarflexion is the movement that extends the foot downward away from the body at the ankle. This action is performed by the fibularis longus muscle, along with the fibularis brevis and tibialis posterior muscles. These muscles work together to oppose the action of the dorsiflexor muscles, which pull the foot upward toward the body.
Eversion, on the other hand, is the movement that tilts the sole of the foot away from the midline of the body. The fibularis longus plays a crucial role in this action, along with the other two fibularis muscles. The oblique direction of its tendon across the sole of the foot also enables the fibularis longus to support the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot. This helps to maintain the stability of the leg upon the foot, especially when standing on one leg.
The fibularis longus muscle originates from the head and superior two-thirds of the lateral fibular shaft. It descends down the leg, with its belly running along the lateral malleolus of the ankle. The muscle then turns into a tendon that wraps around the lateral side of the cuboid bone and runs underneath it. Finally, the tendon crosses the sole of the foot at an angle and inserts into the lateral surfaces of the medial cuneiform and the first metatarsal bones.
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The adductor longus muscle is a skeletal muscle in the thigh that adducts the thigh
The adductor longus muscle is a skeletal muscle located in the thigh. It is one of the adductor muscles of the hip, and its main function is to adduct the thigh. This muscle plays a crucial role in the movement and stability of the hip joint.
The adductor longus arises from the body of the pubis, specifically from an area inferior to the pubic crest and lateral to the pubic symphysis. It lies ventrally on the adductor magnus, another muscle of the thigh, and near the femur, the adductor brevis can be found between these two muscles. The adductor longus is part of the medial compartment of the thigh, and it forms the medial wall of the femoral triangle.
Distally, the fibres of the adductor longus extend into the adductor canal, and it is inserted into the middle third of the medial lip of the linea aspera. The obturator nerve, which exits via the anterior rami of the spinal cord from L2, L3, and L4, innervates this muscle. The adductor longus is also related to other anatomical structures, including the pubic portion of the fascia lata anteriorly, and the femoral artery and vein near its insertion.
The adductor longus muscle works in conjunction with other adductor muscles to bring the thigh closer to the body's midline, a movement known as adduction. This action is particularly important in activities that require a wide range of hip motion, such as running, lunging, or kicking. Additionally, the adductor longus helps to provide stability to the hip joint, aiding in balance and weight-bearing.
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The palmaris longus muscle is a weak flexor that assists in thumb abduction movements
The palmaris longus muscle is a slender, elongated muscle located in the anterior forearm. It is a weak flexor, providing little flexing force, and is not essential for wrist movement. The muscle is visible as a small tendon between the flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles, although it is not always present. Its absence is observed in 10-20% of the general population, with varying rates across different ethnic groups.
The palmaris longus muscle is the most popular choice for tendon grafts in the wrist due to its length, diameter, and ability to be used without causing functional deformities. It is also advantageous to use a patient's own tendon to avoid introducing foreign material into the body. The muscle assists in thumb abduction movements, which are necessary for opening the hand. It achieves this through its insertion onto the thenar eminence.
The palmaris longus is innervated by the median nerve and plays a role in wrist flexion and tensioning the palmar aponeurosis. It aids the flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis muscles in achieving a balanced flexion of the hand on the wrist. Additionally, it helps stabilize the elbow joint when fully extended. The muscle's specific actions vary, and it may be absent or present in different individuals.
The evolutionary interpretation of the muscle's absence suggests that humans inherited it through common descent. While numerous animals that share a common ancestor with humans, such as orangutans, actively employ the muscle, close primate relatives like chimpanzees and gorillas do not. The development of the thumb apparatus, particularly the thenar muscle group, in hominins, is believed to have led to the Palmaris longus becoming vestigial.
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Frequently asked questions
The fibularis longus muscle, also known as the peroneus longus muscle, is a long muscle located in the lateral compartment of the leg. It is the longest and most superficial of the three fibularis muscles.
The main function of the fibularis longus muscle is to produce plantar flexion and eversion of the foot on the ankle joint. It helps to steady the leg upon the foot, especially when standing on one leg.
The adductor longus is a skeletal muscle located in the thigh. It is one of the adductor muscles of the hip and its main function is to adduct the thigh.
The palmaris longus is a muscle that is visible as a small tendon located between the flexor carpi radialis and the flexor carpi ulnaris. It is a weak flexor and may contribute to thumb abduction movements, which are necessary to open the hand.











































