The tibialis anterior muscle is a long narrow fusiform-shaped muscle located in the anterior compartment of the leg. It is the most superficial and largest muscle of the group and is the main foot dorsiflexor.
Summary
origin: superior two thirds of the lateral surface of tibia and adjacent interosseous membrane
insertion: inferomedial aspect of medial cuneiform and base of first metatarsal
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action:
dorsiflexion of foot at ankle
inversion of the foot (at subtalar and midtarsal joints)
helps to hold up medial longitudinal arch of foot
blood supply: branches of the anterior tibial and fibular arteries
innervation: deep peroneal nerve (L4 - S1)
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Gross anatomy
Relations
The tibialis anterior lies medial to the extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus. The muscle pierces the superior extensor retinacula but travels deep to the inferior retinacula which holds it in place.
Origin
The tibialis anterior muscle originates from the lateral condyle and upper two-thirds of the lateral surface of the tibia. Additionally, it arises from the interosseous membrane of the leg, deep surface of the fascia cruris and the anterior intermuscular septum.
Insertion
The tibialis anterior inserts on the medial cuneiform bone and base of the first metatarsal bone.
Action
The tibialis anterior muscle provides dorsiflexion at the talocrural (ankle) joint and inversion of the foot at the subtalar and midtarsal (Chopart's) joints. It also plays a role in supporting the medial longitudinal arch of the foot.
Innervation
The tibialis anterior is innervated by the deep peroneal (fibular) nerve (L4 - S1), a branch of the common peroneal nerve.
Arterial supply
The muscle receives arterial blood supply primarily from the branches of the anterior tibial artery in addition to branches of the posterior tibial artery.
Variant anatomy
Os sesamoideum tibialis anterioris is an accessory sesamoid bone that arises during embryonic development which is sometimes incorrectly misdiagnosed as a fracture 4.
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