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The ankle joint is one of the most valuable structures in the human body due to its complex articulating surfaces and role in walking. Dorsiflexion is a crucial movement of the ankle joint, where the foot is lifted upwards, which is the opposite of plantar flexion, where the foot is pointed downwards. The muscles that dorsiflex the ankle include the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dorsiflexion | The movement that occurs at the ankle where the foot is lifted upwards |
| Opposite movement | Plantar flexion, which occurs when pointing the foot downwards |
| Strongest dorsiflexor of the ankle | Tibialis anterior |
| Location of Tibialis anterior | Outside of the shin |
| Other muscles that dorsiflex the ankle | Extensor hallucis longus, Extensor digitorum longus, Fibularis tertius |
| Normal range of dorsiflexion | 0-16.5o or 0-25o |
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What You'll Learn
- The tibialis anterior is the strongest dorsiflexor of the ankle
- The extensor hallucis longus is responsible for extending the big toe
- The extensor digitorum longus is found in the front of the lower leg
- The fibularis tertius muscle is present in less than 50% of people
- The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles facilitate eversion of the ankle joint
The tibialis anterior is the strongest dorsiflexor of the ankle
The ankle joint is one of the most valuable structures in the human body, with an intricate system of articulating surfaces and functions. Dorsiflexion is an essential movement of the ankle joint. The dorsiflexors muscles of the ankle lie in the anterior compartment of the leg. The tibialis anterior is the most superficial and anterior-facing muscle among them. The tibialis anterior muscle is also known as the tibialis anticus and is the largest of four muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg. Its thick muscle belly arises from its proximal attachment at the lateral tibia, and the tibialis anterior tendon inserts distally on the medial border of the foot. The tibialis anterior is one of four muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg, the others being the extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and fibularis tertius.
The tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) can have varying insertion patterns. In most cases, the TAT passes beneath the extensor retinaculum, so the extensor retinaculum holds the TAT in place. However, in some cases, the superior extensor retinaculum forms a separate tunnel for the TAT. The tibialis anterior is an essential component in ankle and knee joint structure. It functions as a dorsiflexor and as a dynamic stabiliser of the ankle joint during running and jumping. The tibialis anterior also plays a role in maintaining the axis of the ankle joint during dorsiflexion.
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The extensor hallucis longus is responsible for extending the big toe
The extensor hallucis longus is a thin skeletal muscle that is responsible for extending the big toe. It is a key muscle located in the anterior compartment of the lower leg. It extends the big toe at both the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. The extensor hallucis longus muscle originates from the anteromedial aspect of the fibula, extending to the anterior aspect of the interosseous membrane of the leg, which is located between the fibula and tibia. From here, the muscle runs inferomedially towards the foot, ending in a tendon.
The extensor hallucis longus is situated between the tibialis anterior and the extensor digitorum longus. The tendon of the muscle in the dorsum of the foot runs medially to the tendon of the extensor digitorum longus. When the extensor hallucis longus extends the big toe, the tendon of the muscle can be seen on the dorsal aspect of the big toe, laterally to the tendon of the tibialis anterior muscle. The space between these two tendons is an important clinical location, serving as an entry point for injections or aspiration procedures in the ankle joint.
The extensor hallucis longus also has accessory actions in other joints. It assists with foot eversion and inversion and dorsiflexion of the ankle. It acts in three foot joints: the talocrural, metatarsophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints. The main function of the muscle is the extension of the big toe, but it also plays a crucial role in walking and running.
Weakness of the extensor hallucis longus can cause the toe to fold under the foot when putting on socks or shoes and can lead to tripping. It can also result in a claw toe deformity, where hyperextension of the great toe pulls the plantar plate distally, causing pain and exposing the metatarsal head to excessive loads. Exercises such as the big toe lift, big toe extension with heel raises, and towel curls can help target and strengthen the extensor hallucis longus muscle.
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The extensor digitorum longus is found in the front of the lower leg
The extensor digitorum longus is a muscle found in the front of the lower leg, specifically in the anterior (extensor) compartment of the leg. It is one of four muscles in this compartment, the others being the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and fibularis (peroneus) tertius. The extensor digitorum longus is the most lateral muscle in the anterior compartment.
The extensor digitorum longus is a pennate muscle, meaning that all of its muscle fibres attach to one side of its tendon. It 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 then descends inferiorly and, just above the ankle, gives off a tendon that passes under the superior and inferior extensor retinaculum of the foot. Within the inferior extensor retinaculum, the tendon splits into four smaller tendons that are wrapped together in a synovial sheath.
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 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 several arteries, including the anterior lateral malleolar, lateral tarsal, metatarsal, plantar, and digital arteries.
The function of the extensor digitorum longus is to dorsiflex the foot and extend the toes. It is the most lateral of all the muscles in the extensor compartment and 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 distal part of the muscle crosses the anterior side of the ankle joint, passing under the superior extensor retinaculum and through the inferior extensor retinaculum.
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The fibularis tertius muscle is present in less than 50% of people
The fibularis tertius muscle, also known as peroneus tertius or anterior fibularis, is a muscle in the lower lateral aspect of the leg. It is involved in ankle dorsiflexion and eversion, which are essential movements of the ankle joint. However, it is interesting to note that the presence of the fibularis tertius muscle varies among individuals, and it is reported to be absent in less than 50% of people in certain populations.
The fibularis tertius muscle has a specific structure and function in the human body. It is part of the anterior or extensor compartment of the leg, along with three other muscles: the extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and tibialis anterior. These muscles work collectively to facilitate ankle dorsiflexion. The fibularis tertius muscle originates from the distal end of the fibula and inserts onto the base of the fifth metatarsal bone, spanning two main joints of the foot: the talocrural (ankle) and subtalar joints.
The presence or absence of the fibularis tertius muscle can be determined through surface visualization or palpation of the tendon. In a study conducted in Spain, the muscle was found to be present in 38.25% of participants, with slightly higher prevalence in females (38.6%) compared to males (37.2%). However, no significant differences were observed between males and females regarding the presence or absence of the muscle in the right foot.
The evolutionary significance of the fibularis tertius muscle is also noteworthy. Its prevalent presence in modern humans and gorillas, who are exclusively or mostly terrestrial, respectively, suggests that it may be related to bipedalism. In contrast, non-human primates with arboreal and terrestrial lifestyles, such as chimpanzees, have a lower presence of this muscle.
Despite its absence in some individuals, the fibularis tertius muscle is not considered essential for movement. This is because its functions can be efficiently completed by other, more powerful muscles. In fact, many individuals who do not have the fibularis tertius muscle do not experience any noticeable movement impairments.
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The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles facilitate eversion of the ankle joint
The ankle joint is a highly valuable structure in the human body due to its complex articulating surfaces and ambulation function. The ankle joint facilitates several movements, including plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion.
The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles are located in the lateral compartment of the leg, with the peroneus brevis forming the lateral compartment partially. The peroneus brevis muscle lies underneath the peroneus longus and is shorter in length but has a thicker muscle belly. These muscles function to facilitate eversion of the ankle joint. Eversion refers to the tilting of the sole away from the body's midline, while inversion is the opposite movement, tilting the sole towards the midline.
The peroneus brevis muscle originates from the lower two-thirds of the lateral fibula's surface and inserts on the proximal fifth metatarsal. It assists with eversion of the foot and, to a lesser extent, plantarflexion of the ankle. The peroneus longus muscle, on the other hand, is activated during eversion in the plantarflexion state.
The peroneus muscles are crucial in maintaining ankle stability, and injuries to these muscles can lead to chronic ankle instability (CAI). Rehabilitation training often focuses on strengthening the peroneus brevis muscle, with fewer studies targeting the peroneus longus muscle. Both peroneus longus training (PLT) and peroneus brevis training (PBT) have been found to be effective in improving muscle strength and balance in individuals with CAI.
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Frequently asked questions
Dorsiflexion is the movement that occurs at the ankle when the foot is lifted or pulled upwards. This is the opposite of plantar flexion, which occurs when the foot is pointed downwards.
The tibialis anterior is the strongest dorsiflexor of the ankle. The extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) are also responsible for dorsiflexion.
The tibialis anterior is located in the anterior compartment of the leg, alongside the lateral surface of the tibia. The extensor hallucis longus is found between the fibula and tibia, and the EDL is found in the front of the lower leg, in the outer muscle-bound compartment.
