The Anterior Leg

The anterior compartment of the leg contains extensor

muscles that dorsiflex the ankle joint
The anterior compartment of the leg contains extensor
muscles that dorsiflex the ankle joint

There are four muscles

The anterior compartment of the leg contains extensor
muscles that dorsiflex the ankle joint

There are four muscles

Extensor Digitorum Longus

Also extend the toes
Extensor Hallucis Longus
The anterior compartment of the leg contains extensor
muscles that dorsiflex the ankle joint

There are four muscles

Extensor Digitorum Longus

Also extend the toes
Extensor Hallucis Longus

Tibialis Anterior
The anterior compartment of the leg contains extensor
muscles that dorsiflex the ankle joint

There are four muscles

Extensor Digitorum Longus

Also extend the toes
Extensor Hallucis Longus

Tibialis Anterior – also inverts the foot

The anterior compartment of the leg contains extensor
muscles that dorsiflex the ankle joint

There are four muscles

Extensor Digitorum Longus

Also extend the toes
Extensor Hallucis Longus

Tibialis Anterior – also inverts the foot

Peroneus Tertius
The anterior compartment of the leg contains extensor
muscles that dorsiflex the ankle joint

There are four muscles

Extensor Digitorum Longus

Also extend the toes
Extensor Hallucis Longus

Tibialis Anterior – also inverts the foot

Peroneus Tertius – also known as Fibularis Tertius

 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

L M
A E
T D
E I
R A
A L
L

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

L Tibi M
A a
E
T D
E I
R Fibula A
A L
L

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

L Tibi M
A Interosseous a
Septum Membrane E
T D
E I
R Fibula A
A L
L
Septum

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

L Tibi M
A a
E
T Deep Posterior D
Compartment
E I
R Fibula A
A L
L

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

L Tibi M
A a
E
T Deep Posterior D
Compartment
E I
R Fibula A
A L
L

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

L Tibi M
A a
E
T Deep Posterior D
Compartment
E I
R Fibula A
A L
L
Superficial Posterior
Compartment

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

L Tibi M
A a
E
T Deep Posterior D
Compartment
E I
R Fibula A
A Lateral L
L Compartment
Superficial Posterior
Compartment

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

Anterior Compartment

L Tibi M
A a
E
T Deep Posterior D
Compartment
E I
R Fibula A
A Lateral L
L Compartment
Superficial Posterior
Compartment

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

Tibialis Anterior

L Tibi M
A a
E
T Deep Posterior D
Compartment
E I
R Fibula Deep Posterior A
A Lateral Compartment
L
L Compartment
Superficial Posterior
Compartment

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

Tibialis Anterior
Extensor
Hallucis
L Longus Tibi M
A a
E
T Deep Posterior D
Compartment
E I
R Fibula Deep Posterior A
A Lateral Compartment
L
L Compartment
Superficial Posterior
Compartment

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

Tibialis Anterior
Extensor
Hallucis
Extensor Longus
L Digitorum Tibi M
a
A Longus E
T Deep Posterior D
Compartment
E I
R Fibula Deep Posterior A
A Lateral Compartment
L
L Compartment
Superficial Posterior
Compartment

posterior
 Cross Section through middle of right leg looking up from foot

anterior

Tibialis Anterior
Extensor
Hallucis
Extensor
Longus
L Digitorum Tibi
Longus
M
A a
E
T Deep Posterior D
Compartment
E I
R Fibula Deep Posterior A
A Lateral Compartment
L
L Compartment
Superficial Posterior
Compartment

posterior
Tibialis Anterior
Tibialis Anterior

arises from
lateral surface of shaft of
Tibia

attaches to
Medial Cuneiform
1st Metatarsal base
Tibialis anterior muscle

Tibialis anterior tendon

Tibialis Anterior

arises from
lateral surface of shaft of
Tibia

attaches to
Medial Cuneiform
1st Metatarsal base
Tibialis anterior muscle

Tibialis anterior tendon

Tibialis Anterior

Dorsiflexes ankle joint

Inverts foot
Extensor Digitorum Longus
Extensor Digitorum Longus

Arises from
Fibula
Interosseous Membrane
Extensor Digitorum Longus

Arises from
Fibula
Interosseous Membrane

The tendon divides into four slips and

these insert into the
dorsal expansions of toes 2-5
The tendon divides into four slips and
these insert into the
dorsal expansions of toes 2-5
Extensor Digitorum Longus

Dorsiflexes the ankle joint

Extends the toes

Extensor Hallucis Longus
Extensor Hallucis Longus

Arises from the

Fibula
Extensor Hallucis Longus

Arises from the

Fibula

Inserts onto the

Distal Phalanx of Big Toe

Extensor Hallucis Longus

Extends the Big Toe

Dorsiflexes Ankle Joint

Tendon of
Extensor Hallucis Longus
Peroneus Tertius

also known as

Fibularis Tertius
Peroneus Tertius
Arises from the

Fibula
Peroneus Tertius

Arises from the

Fibula

Inserts onto dorsum of

5th metatarsal base

Peroneus Tertius

Tendon of Peroneus Tertius

Peroneus Tertius

Everts foot

Dorsiflexor of the foot

Tendon of Peroneus Tertius

Extensor Retinacula are thickenings
of deep fascia that prevent
‘bowstringing’ of the extensor
tendons
Extensor Retinacula are thickenings
of deep fascia that prevent
‘bowstringing’ of the extensor
tendons
Superior extensor retinaculum

Inferior extensor retinaculum

Nerve Supply
All the muscles in the Anterior Compartment
are supplied by the

Deep Peroneal Nerve

 Deep Peroneal Nerve

Injury to this nerve causes a condition

known as ‘foot drop’

The foot can no longer be dorsiflexed which

causes difficulty in walking

The knee has to be lifted much higher in order to

prevent the foot from dragging on the ground

This is called a ‘High Stepping Gait’

Summary of Muscles
 Anterior Leg

Tibialis Anterior
Origin Lateral condyle of tibia, proximal
2/3rds lateral surface tibia,
interosseous membrane
Insertion Medial and plantar surfaces of
medial cuneiform and base of
first metatarsal
Action Dorsiflexor of ankle, invertor of
foot
Nerve Supply Deep peroneal nerve (L4, L5)
Blood Supply Anterior tibial artery
 Anterior Leg
Extensor Digitorum Longus
Origin Head of fibula, upper 2/3 anterior
fibular shaft, interosseous
membrane
Insertion Splits into 4 tendons distally;
these insert onto dorsum of
middle and distal phalanges of
toes 2-5. Part of extensor
expansion complex
Action Extends toes 2 - 5 and dorsiflexes
ankle
Nerve Supply Deep peroneal nerve (L5, S1)
Blood Supply Anterior tibial artery
 Anterior Leg
Extensor Hallucis Longus
Origin Anterior surface of the fibula,
interosseous membrane
Insertion Base of distal phalanx great toe
Action Extends great toe and dorsiflexes
ankle
Nerve Supply Deep peroneal nerve (L5, S1)
Blood Supply Anterior tibial artery
 Anterior Leg

Fibularis Tertius
Origin Distal 1/3rd anterior surface of
fibula
Insertion Base of dorsal aspect 5th
metatarsal
Action Dorsiflexes foot;
everts foot weakly
Nerve Supply Deep peroneal nerve (L5, S1)
Blood Supply Anterior tibial artery