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The Flexor Digitorum Longus is located in the Deep Posterior Compartment of the (lower) leg. The muscles in the deep posterior compartment are:
- Popliteus
- Tibialis posterior
- Flexor digitorum longus
- Flexor hallucis longus
ATTACHMENTS:
- Posterior tibia to the plantar surfaces of the distal phalanges of toes #2-5.
- The flexor digitorum longus attaches proximally onto the middle 1/3 of the posterior tibia.
ACTIONS:
- Flexes toes #2-5 at the metatarsophalangeal and proximal and distal interphalangeal joints.
- Plantarflexes the foot at the ankle joint.
- Inverts (Supinates) the foot at the subtalar joint.
NOTES:
- The flexor digitorum longus is sometimes referred to as “Dick” of the “Tom, Dick, and Harry” group.
- Inversion is the principal cardinal-plane (frontal-plane) component of the oblique-plane motion pattern of supination.
