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The human foot has 29 muscles, 10 of which originate outside the foot but cross the ankle joint to act on the foot. These muscles, along with tendons and ligaments, support the ankle joint and help the body move. The ankle joint is a complex hinge joint that connects the bones of the leg (the fibula and tibia) with the talus of the foot. The muscles that cross the ankle joint include the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, peroneus tertius, anterior tibialis, extensor digitorum longus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, posterior tibialis, anterior tibialis, gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis posterior, fibularis longus, and tibialis anterior.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles associated with the human foot | 29 |
| Number of muscles that originate outside the foot but cross the ankle joint | 10 |
| Number of intrinsic foot muscles | 19 |
| Muscles that cause movement at the ankle | Peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, peroneus tertius, anterior tibialis, extensor digitorum longus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, posterior tibialis, anterior tibialis, gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis posterior, fibularis longus, plantaris, tibialis anterior |
| Muscles that plantarflex the foot at the ankle | Gastrocnemius, plantaris, soleus, tibialis posterior, fibularis longus |
| Muscles that dorsiflex the foot at the ankle | Anterior tibialis, tibialis anterior |
| Muscles that evert the foot | Peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, peroneus tertius, fibularis longus |
| Muscles that invert the foot | Tibialis posterior, fibularis longus |
| Muscles that abduct the foot | Peroneus tertius |
| Muscles that supinate the ankle | Flexor hallucis longus |
| Ligaments in the ankle | Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL), deltoid ligament, transverse ligament |
| Nerves in the ankle | Tibial nerve, nerve passing in front of the ankle, nerve passing along the outer edge of the ankle |
| Arteries in the ankle | Dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial artery |
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What You'll Learn
Peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles
The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles are two of the three muscles of the lateral compartment of the leg, the third being the peroneus tertius. The peroneus longus is also known as the fibularis longus, and the peroneus brevis is also known as the fibularis brevis.
The peroneus longus originates on the head of the fibula and the upper half of the fibular shaft. It crosses the ankle joint, courses deep into the foot, and passes into a groove of the cuboid bone. It inserts on the posterolateral aspect of the medial cuneiform bone and the lateral portion of the base of the first metatarsal. The peroneus longus acts to evert the foot, plantarflex the ankle, and add support to the transverse arch of the foot.
The peroneus brevis is a short muscle that lies in the lateral part of the lower leg deep to the peroneus longus. It is one of the three ankle everters known as the fibularis muscles (peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, and peroneus tertius). The peroneus brevis originates from the inferior two-thirds of the lateral fibula and ultimately courses posteriorly to the lateral malleolus of the fibula. Its tendon passes downwards and loops posterior to the lateral malleolus. The peroneus brevis inserts on the styloid process of the fifth metatarsal. The peroneus brevis is responsible for 63% of the power needed to evert the foot and also assists in plantar flexion, along with the peroneus longus.
The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis are susceptible to several pathologies, including contracture/shortening, which can result in an everted or valgus foot. Peroneal tendon injuries are most commonly present in young, active patients, especially those who participate in sports such as football, soccer, and running. The tendons of the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis are the most commonly dislocated tendons in the ankle. This is due to the shallow groove in the posterior aspect of the distal fibula where the tendons sit, which can cause the peroneus brevis tendon to rub on the fibula, leading to an inflammatory reaction and bony proliferation.
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Anterior tibialis
The anterior tibialis is a prominent muscle in the anterior leg, arising from the upper two-thirds of the lateral surface of the tibia. It is also referred to as the tibialis anterior or tibialis anticus. This muscle is easily visible during dorsiflexion of the foot, and it is responsible for pulling the ankle upward.
The anterior tibialis is inserted into the medial and inferior surface of the medial cuneiform bone, as well as the base of the first metatarsal bone. It passes under the extensor retinaculum, which holds it in place. The muscle fibres run vertically downward and end in a tendon, which can be observed on the anterior surface of the muscle at the lower third of the leg.
The anterior tibialis is innervated by the deep fibular nerve and the recurrent genicular nerve (L4). The body of the muscle is supplied by branches of the anterior tibial artery, including the anterior muscular, medial muscular branches, and anterior tibial recurrent artery. The tendon is supplied by branches of both the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
This muscle plays a crucial role in maintaining the medial longitudinal arch of the foot and stabilising the ankle. It helps to balance the leg and talus on the tarsal bones, enabling individuals to walk on uneven ground without losing balance. The anterior tibialis is also essential for activities such as hiking and kicking a ball, as it stabilises the ankle joint when the foot makes contact with the ground.
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Gastrocnemius and soleus
The calf muscle is made up of two main muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The gastrocnemius is a very powerful muscle that forms the bulk of the calf muscle. It is a three-joint muscle, crossing the knee, talocrural, and subtalar joints. The muscle is just under the skin at the back of the lower leg, and its outline can often be seen. The top part of the gastrocnemius has two heads that start on the inside and outside of the thighbone (femur) and go down the back of the leg, attaching to the Achilles tendon. The gastrocnemius is a key muscle for walking and posture.
The soleus is a wide, flat muscle that sits slightly deeper than the gastrocnemius. It connects to the tibia and fibula, the bones in the lower leg. Together with the gastrocnemius, the soleus helps us walk, run, jump, and maintain good posture.
The gastrocnemius and soleus are sometimes referred to as one large muscle with two sections, as they come together above the heel to form the Achilles tendon. The two muscles are also known as the triceps surae, along with the plantaris muscle, which runs between them down the length of the lower leg. However, not everyone has the plantaris muscle—around 10% of people only have the gastrocnemius and soleus.
Injuries to the gastrocnemius and soleus are common, and differentiating between them is important for treatment and prognosis. Gastrocnemius strains typically present with tenderness in the medial belly or the musculotendinous junction. Soleus strains tend to be less dramatic and more subacute, with symptoms including calf tightness, stiffness, and pain that worsens over time.
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Posterior tibialis
The tibialis posterior muscle (TPM) is a key stabilising muscle of the lower leg. It is the deepest muscle of the deep posterior compartment of the lower leg, situated between the flexor digitorum longus and the flexor hallucis longus. The TPM originates from the posterior aspect of the interosseous membrane and the superior two-thirds of the posterior and medial surface of the fibula, attaching to the tibia and fibula. The tibialis posterior tendon (TPT) travels distally, then posterior to the medial malleolus, where it is secured by the flexor retinaculum, and continues along the plantar aspect of the foot. The TPT splits into three components: primary, plantar, and recurrent. The primary portion inserts onto the navicular bone, the plantar portion onto the base of the second to fourth metatarsals, and the recurrent portion onto the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus.
The tibialis posterior is a primary inverter of the foot, contracting to produce inversion and assisting in plantarflexion of the foot at the ankle. The plantar insertions of the tibialis posterior allow it to support the medial arch of the foot. The tibialis posterior receives its arterial blood supply from the posterior tibial artery and innervation from the tibial nerve.
Tibialis posterior dysfunction (TPTD) can lead to flat feet and weak arch control in adults. Posterior tibial tendonitis, a condition involving inflammation or tearing of the posterior tibial tendon, can cause pain, swelling, and potentially lead to flatfoot if left untreated. Strengthening exercises can be beneficial for preventing or treating conditions associated with weakness of the tibialis posterior muscle.
The tibialis anterior, located in the anterior leg, is responsible for pulling the ankle upward. It is the most prominent muscle in the anterior leg and is often visible during dorsiflexion of the foot.
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Extensor digitorum longus
The extensor digitorum longus is a pennate muscle, situated at the lateral part of the front of the leg. It is one of 29 muscles associated with the human foot, 10 of which originate outside the foot but cross the ankle joint. The extensor digitorum longus originates from the inferior part of the lateral tibial condyle, the proximal half of the medial surface of the fibula, and the anterior surface of the interosseus membrane. The muscle descends inferiorly and, just above the ankle, gives off a tendon that passes under the superior extensor retinaculum and through the inferior extensor retinaculum.
The extensor digitorum longus is one of four muscles in the anterior compartment of the lower leg. The other muscles in this compartment include the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and peroneus (fibularis) tertius. The extensor digitorum longus is the most lateral muscle in the anterior compartment. It lies laterally to the tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus. The anterior tibial artery and vein pass between the extensor digitorum longus and the tibialis anterior.
The extensor digitorum longus is innervated by the deep fibular nerve, a branch of the common fibular nerve. The leg portion of the muscle is supplied by two arteries of the leg. The proximal part is supplied by the anterior tibial artery, while the distal part receives blood from the fibular artery. The tendons of the muscle are vascularized by the anterior lateral malleolar, lateral tarsal, metatarsal, plantar, and digital arteries.
The primary action of the extensor digitorum longus is the extension of the second through fifth digits. The muscle assists with dorsiflexion of the ankle. As the extensor digitorum longus also crosses the subtalar, metatarsophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints of the foot, it also everts the foot and extends the toes.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 29 muscles associated with the human foot, 10 of which originate outside the foot but cross the ankle joint to act on the foot. These include the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, peroneus tertius, anterior tibialis, extensor digitorum longus, flexor digitorum longus, and flexor hallucis longus.
The peroneus longus originates on the head of the fibula and the upper half of the fibular shaft. It crosses the ankle joint, courses deep into the foot, and passes into a groove of the cuboid bone. Its primary function is to evert the foot, plantarflex the ankle, and add support to the transverse arch of the foot.
The peroneus brevis originates on the inferior two-thirds of the lateral fibula and courses posteriorly to the lateral malleolus of the fibula. Its primary function is the eversion of the foot and plantarflexion of the ankle.
The peroneus tertius originates from the middle fibular shaft and inserts on the dorsal surface of the fifth metatarsal. Its primary function is the dorsiflexion, eversion, and abduction of the foot.
The anterior tibialis originates from the lateral condyle of the tibia and the proximal half to two-thirds of the tibial shaft. It enables the ankle and foot to turn upward.
