Leg Muscles
The anterior muscles located at the front of the leg include:
- tibialis anterior
- extensor digitorum longus
- fibularis tertius
- extensor hallucis longus
These muscles primarily work to flex the foot upward, and some also contribute to the inward and outward rotation of the foot. Their nerve supply comes from the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve.
The superficial muscles consist of:
- gastrocnemius
- plantaris
- soleus
the deep muscles include:
- tibialis posterior
- flexor hallucis longus
- popliteus
- flexor digitorum longus
The main role of these muscles is to flex the foot downward, but they also assist in the inward rotation of the foot, as well as bending and stabilizing the knee joint. Their innervation is provided by the tibial nerve.
Lastly, the lateral muscles of the leg are the:
- fibularis longus
- fibularis brevis
Tibialis Anterior Muscle
The tibialis anterior is a muscle located in the front of the lower leg. It is responsible for dorsiflexion of the ankle, which means it allows you to lift the front of your foot towards your shin.
Extensor Digitorum Longus
The extensor digitorum longus is a muscle located in the front of the lower leg. It extends along the length of the leg and is responsible for extending (straightening) the toes and lifting the foot at the ankle joint.
Fibularis (Peroneus) Tertius
The fibularis tertius, also known as the peroneus tertius, is a muscle located in the front of the lower leg. It runs along the fibula bone and is responsible for dorsiflexion and eversion of the foot. Dorsiflexion involves lifting the foot towards the shin, while eversion is the outward movement of the foot.
Extensor Hallucis Longus Muscle
The extensor hallucis muscle is a muscle located in the front of the lower leg. It is responsible for extending (straightening) the big toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint, allowing you to lift the big toe off the ground. The extensor hallucis muscle plays a role in maintaining balance and stability during walking and other activities that involve pushing off the ground with the big toe.
The gastrocnemius is a large, powerful muscle located in the back of the lower leg. It forms the bulk of the calf and is responsible for plantar flexion of the foot, which means pointing the foot downward.
The plantaris is a small, slender muscle located in the back of the lower leg. It runs alongside the gastrocnemius muscle and is responsible for assisting in plantar flexion of the foot (pointing the foot downward).
The soleus is a muscle located in the back of the lower leg, beneath the gastrocnemius. It plays a key role in plantar flexion of the foot (pointing the foot downward). The soleus muscle is important for maintaining posture and providing support during activities like standing and walking.
Flexor Digitorum Longus
The flexor digitorum longus is a muscle located in the back of the lower leg. It runs along the tibia bone and is responsible for flexing (curling) the toes at the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints.
Tibialis Posterior Muscle
The tibialis posterior is a muscle located in the back of the lower leg. It runs along the tibia and fibula bones and is responsible for inversion of the foot, which means turning the foot inward.
The popliteus is a muscle located at the back of the knee joint. It runs from the lateral (outer) condyle of the femur to the tibia bone. The primary function of the popliteus is to unlock the knee joint by internally rotating the tibia, allowing you to bend your knee more easily.
Flexor Hallucis Longus Muscle
The flexor hallucis muscle, also known as flexor hallucis longus, is a muscle located in the back of the lower leg. It runs along the tibia bone and is responsible for flexing (curling) the big toe at the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints.
Fibularis (Peroneus) Brevis
The fibularis brevis, also known as peroneus brevis, is a muscle located in the lateral (outer) part of the lower leg. It runs along the fibula bone and is responsible for eversion of the foot, which means turning the foot outward.
Fibularis Longus Muscle
The fibularis longus, also known as peroneus longus, is a muscle located in the lateral (outer) part of the lower leg. It runs along the fibula bone and is responsible for eversion of the foot, which means turning the foot outward. The fibularis longus muscle also assists in plantar flexion, pointing the foot downward.