
The movement of the foot so that the soles face inwards is known as inversion, with eversion being the opposite movement. Inversion occurs at the subtalar joint, the talocalcaneonavicular joint, and the transverse tarsal joint. The muscles that produce inversion of the foot are the tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior. Inversion injuries of the ankle are common, often resulting in sprains that affect the ligaments on the lateral aspect of the ankle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscles that produce inversion | Tibialis anterior, Tibialis posterior |
| Location of Tibialis anterior | Lateral surface of the tibia |
| Location of Tibialis posterior | Not found |
| Range of motion for inversion at the subtalar joint | 25° to 30° |
| Range of motion for inversion at the transverse tarsal joint | 8° to 10° |
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What You'll Learn
- The tibialis anterior muscle is the strongest dorsiflexor of the foot
- The tibialis posterior muscle facilitates the transition from midstance to propulsion phase
- The fibularis longus and brevis muscles control eversion of the foot
- The extensor digitorum longus is a deep-lying extrinsic muscle that extends the toes
- The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are the primary muscles involved in an inversion ankle sprain

The tibialis anterior muscle is the strongest dorsiflexor of the foot
The tibialis anterior muscle, also known as the tibialis anticus, is the strongest dorsiflexor of the foot. It is the largest of four muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg. The tibialis anterior is responsible for dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot. Dorsiflexion is critical to gait, as this movement lifts the foot off the ground during the swing phase.
The tibialis anterior muscle has a proximal attachment at the lateral tibia, and the tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) inserts on the medial border of the foot. The muscle belly has a confluence of proximal attachments, including the lateral condyle of the tibia, the proximal two-thirds of the lateral surface of the tibial shaft, the anterior surface of the interosseous membrane between the tibia and fibula, the deep surface of the fascia cruris, and the intermuscular septum between it and the extensor digitorum longus.
The tibialis anterior tendon typically passes beneath the extensor retinaculum, which holds it in place. However, in 25% of cases, the superior extensor retinaculum forms a separate tunnel for the tibialis anterior tendon. The synovial tendon sheath of the tibialis anterior tendon extends from above the superior extensor retinaculum to the level of the talonavicular joint. The tibialis anterior muscle is innervated by the deep peroneal nerve, also known as the deep fibular nerve.
The tibialis anterior muscle is important for ankle joint performance, and selective strengthening exercises are recommended to improve its function. Footdrop, a condition characterised by the inability to dorsiflex the foot, can result from paralysis or weakness of the muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg, causing the foot to drag along the ground during walking.
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The tibialis posterior muscle facilitates the transition from midstance to propulsion phase
The tibialis posterior muscle is the deepest and most central muscle in the posterior compartment of the leg. It is located deep in the shin area and is connected to the tibia, fibula, and interosseous membrane bones of the lower leg. The tibialis posterior tendon travels down the leg, behind the medial malleolus (ankle), and inserts into the tarsal bones of the foot.
The primary function of the tibialis posterior muscle is to control overpronation during the midstance phase of walking. During this phase, the tibialis posterior supports the arch of the foot, providing a stable platform for the body's weight. This action helps to distribute body weight evenly across the metatarsal heads and avoid excessive pressure on the foot's medial side.
As the gait cycle progresses from midstance to the propulsion phase, the tibialis posterior works in concert with other calf muscles to facilitate plantar flexion, which is the action necessary to propel the body forward. This phase demands a strong and resilient posterior tibialis muscle to effectively transfer energy and power the running motion.
The tibialis posterior also plays a role in resisting the tendency of the body to sway laterally when standing on one leg, thus facilitating balance. Additionally, it assists in plantar flexion at the ankle joint, a motion crucial for pushing off the ground during walking or running.
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The fibularis longus and brevis muscles control eversion of the foot
The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis muscles are two of the lateral compartment muscles that lie on the lateral shaft of the fibula. The fibularis longus is the longer and more superficial of the two, with its "belly" running down along most of the bone. The fibularis brevis, on the other hand, is shorter and attaches to a tuberosity on the fifth metatarsal.
These muscles play a crucial role in controlling eversion of the foot, which is the movement that tilts the sole of the foot away from the midline of the body. The fibularis longus, in particular, crosses the sole of the foot at an angle, contributing to the maintenance of the transverse arch of the foot. This action helps to steady the leg upon the foot, especially when standing on one leg.
In addition to eversion, the fibularis longus and brevis muscles also contribute to plantar flexion, which is the downward extension of the foot away from the body at the ankle. This action is achieved as the muscles work together to extend the foot and tilt the sole outward.
The trigger points for these muscles are located around the lateral malleolus and into the lateral foot and middle third of the lateral leg. Trigger points can be activated by various factors, including ankle sprains, prolonged immobilization, wearing high heels, and tight clothing.
It is important to note that while the fibularis longus and brevis muscles control eversion and plantar flexion, the inversion of the foot, or the movement that causes the soles of the feet to face inward, is primarily produced by the tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior muscles.
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The extensor digitorum longus is a deep-lying extrinsic muscle that extends the toes
The extensor digitorum longus is a pennate muscle, positioned at the lateral part of the front of the leg. It arises from the lateral condyle of the tibia, the upper three-quarters of the anterior surface of the body of the fibula, the upper part of the interosseous membrane, the deep surface of the fascia, and the intermuscular septa between it and the tibialis anterior on the medial side, and the peroneal muscles on the lateral side.
The muscle passes under the superior and inferior extensor retinaculum of the foot, along with the fibularis tertius, and divides into four slips that run forward on the dorsum of the foot. These slips are inserted into the second and third phalanges of the four lesser toes. The tendons of the second, third, and fourth toes are each joined by a tendon of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle.
The extensor digitorum longus is innervated by the deep fibular nerve (L5, S1), a branch of the common fibular nerve. The leg portion of the muscle receives blood supply from two arteries: 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 several arteries, including the anterior lateral malleolar, lateral tarsal, metatarsal, plantar, and digital arteries.
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The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are the primary muscles involved in an inversion ankle sprain
An inversion ankle sprain is a common injury that can be painful and limiting. It occurs when the foot rolls inward, causing the ankle to twist and the ligaments on the lateral aspect of the ankle to be affected. The anterior talofibular ligament is the most commonly injured ligament, with the calcaneofibular ligament also frequently torn.
The gastrocnemius muscle is located just above the soleus muscle. The soleus muscle provides stability to the ankle joint and helps absorb shock when landing from a jump or running on hard surfaces. It also plays a critical role in ankle stability during weight-bearing activities such as running and jumping.
The tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior muscles also play a role in inversion of the foot. These muscles are the primary producers of inversion, while the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are involved in the inversion ankle sprain as they can become strained or torn during this type of injury.
Understanding the muscles involved in an inversion ankle sprain can help with prevention and recovery. Breaking down the lactic acid in these muscles and strengthening them through exercises can help prevent future injuries and speed up recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
The muscles that produce inversion of the foot are the tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior.
Inversion is a movement of the foot that causes the soles of the feet to face inwards.
The range of motion for inversion of the foot at the subtalar joint ranges from 25° to 30°.










































