Extensor Digitorum Longus

Joe Muscolino

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The extensor digitorum longus of the anterior compartment of the (lower) leg. The fibularis tertius has been ghosted in.

The Extensor Digitorum Longus is located in the Anterior Compartment of the (lower) leg. The muscles in the anterior compartment are:

 

ATTACHMENTS:

  • Proximal anterior fibula to the dorsal surfaces of the middle and distal phalanges of toes #2-5.
    • The extensor digitorum longus attaches proximally onto the lateral tibial condyle and the proximal 2/3 of the anterior fibula and the proximal 1/3 of the interosseus membrane.

 

ACTIONS:

  • Extends toes #2-5 at the metatarsophalangeal and proximal and distal interphalangeal joints.
  • Dorsiflexes the foot at the ankle joint.
  • Everts (Pronates) the foot at the subtalar joint.

 

NOTES:

  1. The distal tendons of extensor digitorum longus spread out to create the dorsal digital expansion of toes #2-5.
  2. Eversion is the principal cardinal-plane (frontal-plane) component of the oblique-plane motion pattern of pronation.