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    From Musculoskeletal System

    Tarsals (7 bones)
    7 ankle bones.
    Femur
    Thigh bone, the longest and strongest bone in the body.
    Pectoralis Major
    Chest muscle responsible for shoulder movement.
    Flexor Tendons
    Tendons that help flex the fingers and toes.
    Synchondroses
    Cartilaginous joints where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage.
    Facial Bones
    Bones forming the structure of the face.
    Biceps Brachii
    Muscle responsible for elbow flexion.
    Zygomaticus
    Muscle that raises the corners of the mouth.
    Levator Ani
    Pelvic floor muscle responsible for lifting the anus.
    Pelvic Floor Muscles
    Muscles that support pelvic organs.
    Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the joint.
    Gastrocnemius
    Calf muscle responsible for plantarflexion of the foot.
    Gliding (Plane) Joints
    e.g., between carpals
    Hamstrings
    Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus.
    Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the outer knee.
    Sartorius
    Longest muscle in the body responsible for hip flexion.
    Sphenoid Bone
    Bone forming part of the base of the skull and sides of the orbits.
    Biceps Tendon
    Tendon that attaches the biceps muscle to the bone.
    Frontal Bone
    Bone forming the forehead and upper part of the orbits.
    Maxillae
    Upper jaw bones that house the teeth and form part of the orbit.
    Quadriceps Tendon
    Tendon that connects the quadriceps to the patella.
    Achilles Tendon
    Tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone.
    Interspinous Ligament
    Spinal ligament between adjacent vertebral spinous processes.
    Phalanges (14 bones)
    14 bones forming the toes.
    Syndesmoses
    Fibrous joints where bones are connected by ligaments.

    Tibialis Anterior

    Reviewed by our medical team

    Muscle that dorsiflexes and inverts the foot.

    1. Overview

    The tibialis anterior is a prominent muscle of the anterior compartment of the leg. It is the primary dorsiflexor of the foot and plays a key role in stabilizing the ankle during walking and standing. This muscle is essential for proper gait mechanics and maintaining foot clearance during the swing phase of walking.

    2. Location

    The tibialis anterior is located in the anterior compartment of the lower leg, just lateral to the tibia:

    • Superficial and palpable: Especially in lean individuals, it can be felt or seen contracting during dorsiflexion of the foot.

    • Origin: Lateral condyle and proximal two-thirds of the lateral surface of the tibia; also from the interosseous membrane and deep fascia of the leg.

    • Insertion: Medial cuneiform and the base of the first metatarsal on the medial side of the foot.

    3. Structure

    The tibialis anterior is a fusiform (spindle-shaped) muscle:

    • Muscle belly: Thick and muscular in the upper part of the leg.

    • Tendon: Long, cord-like tendon that crosses anterior to the ankle joint and inserts on the foot.

    • Innervation: Deep fibular (peroneal) nerve (L4–L5).

    • Blood supply: Anterior tibial artery and its branches.

    4. Function

    The tibialis anterior is involved in several key movements:

    • Dorsiflexion of the foot: Pulls the foot upward at the ankle joint, allowing for toe clearance during walking.

    • Inversion of the foot: Turns the sole of the foot inward, especially when working with the tibialis posterior.

    • Support of the medial arch: Helps maintain the medial longitudinal arch of the foot during stance and movement.

    5. Physiological role(s)

    The tibialis anterior plays important roles in everyday movement and postural control:

    • Gait mechanics: Active during the swing phase of walking to prevent the toes from dragging.

    • Shock absorption: Controls the rate of foot drop during heel strike, softening impact forces.

    • Balance: Assists in anterior-posterior postural stability, especially when standing or adjusting position on uneven surfaces.

    6. Clinical Significance

    The tibialis anterior is associated with several important clinical conditions:

    • Foot drop:

      • Caused by injury or neuropathy of the deep fibular nerve, resulting in weakness or paralysis of the tibialis anterior.

      • Leads to a high-stepping gait to compensate for lack of dorsiflexion.

    • Anterior compartment syndrome:

      • Acute or chronic pressure build-up in the anterior compartment can compress the tibialis anterior and its neurovascular supply.

      • May result in pain, weakness, and eventually ischemic damage if untreated (requires fasciotomy in emergencies).

    • Tibialis anterior tendinitis:

      • Overuse injury common in runners and hikers, leading to pain and swelling near the ankle or dorsal foot.

    • Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome):

      • Though more associated with the tibialis posterior, the tibialis anterior may also be involved in anterior shin pain due to repetitive stress.

    • Electromyography (EMG) relevance:

      • Frequently tested in EMG studies to assess L4–L5 nerve root or deep fibular nerve function.

    Did you know? The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes (in the ear), measuring just 0.1 inches.