Leg, Ankle, Foot Muscles





(1) Tibialis Anterior

Origin: Lateral condyle and proximal half of lateral surface of tibia, adjacent interosseous membrane of leg.
Insertion: Inferomedial aspect of medial cuneiform bone and base of first metatarsal bone.
Action: Dorsiflexes foot at ankle joint inverts foot at subtalar and transverse tarsal joints.


(2) Extensor Digitorum Longus
Origin: Lateral condyle of tibia, proximal three quarters of fibula, and adjacent interosseous membrane of leg.
Insertion: Dorsal aspects of bases of both the middle and distal phalanges of the second, third, fourth, and little toes.
Action: Extends second, third, fourth, and little toes dorsiflexes foot at ankle joint.

Extensor Hallucis

Origin: Medial surface of fibula and adjacent interosseous membrane of leg.
Insertion: Dorsal aspect of base of distal phalanx of great toe.
Action: Extends great toe dorsiflexes foot at ankle joint.

Fibularis Tertius
Origin: Medial surface of fibula and adjacent interosseous membrane of leg.
Insertion: Dorsal aspect of base and body of fifth metatarsal bone.
Action: Dorsiflexes foot at ankle joint assists in eversion of foot at subtalar and transverse tarsal joints.

The anterior compartment muscles are all innervated by the deep fibular nerve (L4-L5).





(1) Fibularis Longus
Origin: Head and lateral surface of fibula, adjacent intermuscular septa.
Insertion: Plantar surface of medial cuneiform bone and base of first metatarsal bone.
Action: Everts foot at subtalar and transverse tarsal joints assists in plantarflexion of foot at ankle joint.
(2) Fibularis Brevis Origin: Lateral surface of fibula and adjacent intermuscular septa.
Insertion: Tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone.
Action: Everts foot at subtalar and transverse tarsal joints assists in plantarflexion of foot at ankle joint.

The lateral compartment muscles are innervated by the superficial fibular nerve (L5-S1




(1) Gastrocnemius

Origin: Medial condyle and popliteal surface of femur and the lateral condole supracondyle line

Insertion: Posterior surface of calcaneus, via calcaneal tendon.

Action: Plantarflexes foot at ankle joint flexes leg at knee joint
Insertion: Posterior surface of calcaneus.


(2) Plantaris

Origin: Lateral supracondylar line of femur.

Insertion: Posterior surface of calcaneus.

Action: Assists in plantarflexion of foot at ankle joint assists in flexion of leg at knee joint.
(3)Soleus
Origin:Head of fibula, posterior surface of fibula, soleal line, and medial border of tibia.

Insertion: Posterior surface of calcaneus, via calcaneal tendon.

Action: Plantarflexes foot at ankle joint.

All of the superficial posterior capsule muscles are innervated by the tibial nerve (S1-S2)





(1) Tibialis Posterior
Origin: Posterior surface of tibia, inferior to soleal line, posterior surface of fibula, and adjacent interosseous membrane of leg.
Insertion: Tuberosity of navicular bone, plantar aspects of medial, intermediate, and lateral cuneiform bones, and plantar aspects of bases of second to fourth metatarsal bones.
Action: Inverts foot at subtalar and transverse tarsal joints plantarflexes foot at ankle joint.
(2) Flexor Hallucis LongusOrigin: Distal two thirds of posterior surface of fibula and adjacent interosseous membrane of leg.
Insertion: Plantar aspect of base of distal phalanx of great toe.Action: Flexes great toe plantarflexes foot at ankle joint.

(3) Popliteus
Origin: Groove for popliteus muscle.
Insertion: Posterior surface of tibia, superior to soleal line.
Action: Medially rotates leg at knee joint “unlocks” knee joint at beginning of knee flexion.
(4) Flexor Digitorum Longus​
Origin: Posterior surface of tibia, inferior to soleal line.
Insertion: Plantar aspects of bases of the distal phalanges of the second, third, fourth, and little toesAction: Flexes second, third, fourth, and little toes plantarflexes foot at ankle joint.
The deep posterior compartment muscles are innervated by the tibial nerve (L4-S2)