Which muscles assist with ankle dorsiflexion besides the tibialis anterior?

Which muscles assist with ankle dorsiflexion besides the tibialis anterior?

• A. Extensor hallucis longus
• B. Extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus
• C. Fibularis longus
• D. Extensor digitorum longus

Answer: (B)

Dorsiflexion of the ankle is produced mainly by the tibialis anterior, but the extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus also cross the ankle joint in the front of the leg and contribute to lifting the foot upward. The extensor digitorum longus extends the toes and helps dorsiflex the ankle, while the extensor hallucis longus extends the big toe and likewise aids dorsiflexion. The fibularis longus lies on the lateral side and mainly everts and plantarflexes the foot, not dorsiflexing it, so it doesn’t help with ankle dorsiflexion. Thus, the muscles that assist with ankle dorsiflexion besides the tibialis anterior are the extensor hallucis longus and the extensor digitorum longus.

Dorsiflexion of the ankle is produced mainly by the tibialis anterior, but the extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus also cross the ankle joint in the front of the leg and contribute to lifting the foot upward. The extensor digitorum longus extends the toes and helps dorsiflex the ankle, while the extensor hallucis longus extends the big toe and likewise aids dorsiflexion. The fibularis longus lies on the lateral side and mainly everts and plantarflexes the foot, not dorsiflexing it, so it doesn’t help with ankle dorsiflexion. Thus, the muscles that assist with ankle dorsiflexion besides the tibialis anterior are the extensor hallucis longus and the extensor digitorum longus.