Anterior Compartment of Leg

Muscles

The anterior compartment contains muscles that are basically extensors of the ankle and toes. They include:

tibialis anterior
extensor digitorum longus
extensor hallucis longus

Nerves

The nerve of the anterior compartment of the leg is the deep peroneal nerve. This nerve terminates between the big toe and second toe and can be tested at this point.

Arteries

The artery of the anterior compartment of the leg is the anterior tibial artery which is a branch of the popliteal artery. Its terminal branch, the dorsalis pedis, can be palpated on the dorsum of the foot between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

Table of Muscles

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Action	Nerve Supply
tibialis anterior	shaft of tibia and interosseous membrane	medial cuneiform and base of first metatarsal	extends the foot at ankle; inverts foot at subtalar and transverse tarsal joints helps to maintain the medial longitudinal arch of foot	deep peroneal nerve
extensor digitorum longus	shaft of fibula and interosseous membrane	extensor expansion of lateral four toes	extends toes; dorsiflexes (extends) foot	deep peroneal nerve
peroneus tertius	shaft of fibula and interosseous membrane	base of fifth metatarsal	dorsiflexes (extends) foot; everts foot at subtalar and transverse tarsal joints	deep peroneal nerve
extensor hallucis longus	shaft of fibula and interosseous membrane	base of distal phalanx of big toe	extends big toe; dorsiflexes foot; inverts foot at subtalar and transverse tarsal joints	deep peroneal nerve
extensor diditorum brevis	calcaneus	long extensor tendons to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th toes	extends big toe	deep peroneal nerve
extensor hallucis brevis	calcaneus	proximal phalanx of big tow	extends big toe	deep peroneal nerve

Cross Section Through the Leg

This is a section through the left leg. You are looking up into the leg so medial will be to your left.

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Practice Examination

Posterior Thigh

Lateral Compartment of Leg