Anterior leg

Question 1

Muscles of anterior leg

Answer 1

Extensor digitorum longus
Extensor hallucis longus
Tibialis anterior

Question 2

Insertions medial to lateral

Answer 2

THUD
Tibialis anterior
Extensor hallucis longus
Extensor digitorum longus

Question 3

Tibialis anterior
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation

Answer 3

Origin: lateral tibia
Insert: Medial cuniform and base of metatarsal 1 (2)
Actions: Dorsiflexion and inversion of foot
Innervation: Deep fibular nerve

Question 4

Extensor digitorum longus
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation

Answer 4

origin: lateral condyle of tibia and medial surface fibula
The fibres converge into a tendon, which travels onto the dorsal surface of the foot.

Insert: Tendon splits into 4 inserting onto 4 lateral toes

Action: Extension of lateral 4 toes, dorsiflexion of foot

Innervation: Deep fibular nerve

Question 5

Extensor hallucis longus
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation

Answer 5

Origin: Medial surface of fibular shaft

Insert: Crosses anterior ankle and attaches to base of distal phalanx of big toe

Actions: Extension of big toe, dorsiflexion of foot

Innevation: Deep fibula nerve

Question 6

Clinical relevance of anterior leg muscles

Answer 6

Paralysis or weakness of them can lead to foot drop

Question 7

What is foot drop?

Answer 7

Inability to dorsiflex the foot at the ankle joint – resulting in the foot “dropping” under the influence of gravity.

Question 8

What does foot drop indicate?

Answer 8

• Weakness or paralysis of muscles in anterior compartment of leg

Question 9

Foot drop is often a result of damage to which nerve?

Answer 9

• Common fibula nerve (peroneal nerve) which branches into deep and superficial fibular nerves

Question 10

What happens to the posterior leg muscles as a result of foot drop?

Answer 10

result in permanent plantar flexion of posterior leg muscles

Question 11

What is typically sen in the walk of someone with foot drop?

Answer 11

Eversion flick - where the patient flicks the foot while walking

Question 12

Why do patients result in eversion flick?

Answer 12

Because The inability to dorsiflex the foot can interfere with walking – as the affected foot drags along the ground. To circumvent this, the patient can flick the foot outwards while walking – known as an ‘eversion flick‘.

Question 13

Neurovascualr supply

Answer 13

Deep fibular (peroneal) nerve
Anterior tibial artery/vein