Muscles of the leg (Anterior view) (English)

The four muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg include the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and fibularis tertius (not shown/illustrated) muscles. These muscles pass anterior to the ankle joint to insert at the foot, therefore eliciting dorsiflexion at the ankle joint on contraction. The extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus extend distally to insert onto the dorsal surface of the phalanges and therefore also function in extension of the digits at the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. The fibularis longus and brevis muscles form the lateral compartment of the leg. The fibularis longus muscle travels along the lateral portion of the leg, crossing onto the plantar aspect of the foot, before inserting onto the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform bones. The fibularis brevis muscle inserts onto the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal bone. The fibularis longus and brevis muscles are both evertors of the foot (occuring at the subtalar joint), therefore functioning to elevate the lateral border of the foot on contraction.