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The Flexor Hallucis 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 fibula to the plantar surface of the distal phalanx of the big toe.
- The flexor hallucis longus attaches proximally onto the distal 2/3 of the posterior fibula and the distal 2/3 of the interosseus membrane.
ACTIONS:
- Flexes the big toe at the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints.
- Plantarflexes the foot at the ankle joint.
- Inverts (Supinates) the foot at the subtalar joint.
NOTES:
- The flexor hallucis longus is sometimes referred to as “Harry” of the “Tom, Dick, and Harry” group.
- Flexor hallucis longus is the largest of the three Tom, Dick, and Harry muscles.
- Inversion is the principal cardinal-plane (frontal-plane) component of the oblique-plane motion pattern of supination.
