Muscle
Extensor digitorum longus
Anterior leg muscle sending tendons to toes two through five
High-yield
Its tendons act beyond the ankle at several toe joints. They help straighten toes two through five while the muscle also lifts the foot at the ankle.
Overview
Extensor digitorum longus descends in the front of the leg and divides into tendons on the top of the foot. These join the extensor expansions of the four smaller toes.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Lateral tibial condyle, upper medial/anterior fibular shaft, interosseous membrane and adjoining fascial partitions
- Insertion
- Middle and distal phalanges of toes two through five through their dorsal extensor expansions
- Action
- Extends toes two through five and assists ankle dorsiflexion
- Innervation
- Deep fibular nerve, with L5-S1 commonly listed for this muscle
- Blood supply
- Anterior tibial muscular branches
Frequently asked questions
What does the extensor digitorum longus do?
The extensor digitorum longus extends toes two through five and assists ankle dorsiflexion.
What nerve innervates the extensor digitorum longus?
Deep fibular nerve, with L5-S1 commonly listed for this muscle.
Where does the extensor digitorum longus attach?
Origin: Lateral tibial condyle, upper medial/anterior fibular shaft, interosseous membrane and adjoining fascial partitions. Insertion: Middle and distal phalanges of toes two through five through their dorsal extensor expansions.
What is the blood supply of the extensor digitorum longus?
Anterior tibial muscular branches.