The anterior compartment of leg consists of:

Tibialis anterior

The tibialis anterior muscle is a long, narrow muscle located in the anterior region of the lower leg.

Origin: lateral condyle of the tibia and upper two-thirds of the lateral surface of the tibia, interosseous membrane of the leg, deep surface of the fascia cruris, intermuscular septum

Insertion: medial cuneiform bone, base of the first metatarsal bone.

Action: dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot; also supports the medial longitudinal arch of the foot.

Innervation: deep peroneal (fibular) nerve (L4 - S1).

Blood supply: branches of the anterior tibial artery and posterior tibial artery.

Extensor digitorum longus

The extensor digitorum longus muscle is a long, thin muscle located in the anterior region of the thigh, just behind the tibialis anterior.

Origin: anteromedial aspect of the proximal end of the fibula, lateral condyle of the tibia, upper anterior surface of the interosseous membrane of the leg.

Insertion: the muscle passes downward below the superior extensor retinaculum and the inferior extensor retinaculum of the foot and divides into four slips that insert into the distal and middle phalanges of the 2nd to 5th digits.

Action: extension of the 2nd through 5th digits, dorsiflexion of the foot.

Innervation: deep peroneal (fibular) nerve (L4 - S1).

Blood supply: branches of the anterior tibial artery.

Extensor hallucis longus

The extensor hallucis longus muscle is a thin muscle located in the anterior region of the lower leg between the tibialis anterior and the extensor digitorum longus.

Origin: middle third of the anterior surface of the fibula, interosseous membrane of the leg.

Insertion: base of the distal phalanx of the first digit (hallux or big toe).

Action: extension of the hallux, dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot.

Innervation: deep peroneal (fibular) nerve (L4 - S1).

Blood supply: branches of the anterior tibial artery.

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Anterior compartment of leg muscles