Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

318 Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology

Palpation: The tendons of the peroneals can be made more prominent by pointing and beveling the

foot (plantar flexion and eversion). They can be palpated below and above the lateral malleolus. The

peroneus brevis passes closest to the lateral malleolus, while the longus lies just posterior to the

brevis. The peroneus brevis is more prominent with ankle-foot plantar flexion and eversion of the foot,

and its course can be followed along the lateral foot to the base of the fifth metatarsal.

Summary of Extrinsic Ankle-Foot Muscle Attachments and Actions

A summary of the attachments of the extrinsic muscles of the ankle and foot is provided in table 6.2,

and these muscles and some of their attachments are shown in figures 6.22, A and B, 6.23, A, B, and

C, and 6.24, A and B. From these resources, deduce the line of pull and resultant possible actions of

the primary extrinsic muscles of the ankle and foot, and then check for accuracy by referring to figures

6.22C, 6.23D, and 6.24C.

TABLE 6.2 Summary of Attachments and Primary Actions of Extrinsic Muscles of the Ankle-Foot

Muscle Proximal attachment(s) Distal attachment(s) Primary action(s)

Anterior muscles

Tibialis anterior

(tib-ee-A-lis)

Upper two-thirds of

lateral tibia and adjacent

interosseous membrane

Medial and inferior

surfaces of medial

cuneiform and base of

first metatarsal

A-F dorsiflexion

Foot inversion

Extensor hallucis longus

(ek-STEN-sor HAL-u-sis LON-gus)

Anterior fibula and

adjacent interosseus

membrane at the middle

half of leg

Upper surface of base of

distal phalanx of great toe

(hallux)

Great toe extension

A-F dorsiflexion

Foot inversion

Extensor digitorum longus

(ek-STEN-sor di-ji-TOR-um LON-

gus)

Lateral condyle of tibia

Upper anterior fibula

Upper surface of lesser

toes and their extensor

expansions

Lesser toe extension

A-F dorsiflexion

Foot eversion

Peroneus tertius

(per-o-NEE-us TER-shus)

Anterior fibula and

adjacent interosseus

membrane in lower third

of leg

Upper surface of base of

fifth metatarsal

A-F dorsiflexion

Foot eversion

Posterior muscles

Triceps surae

Gastrocnemius

(gas-truk-NEE-mee-us)

Posterior aspect of medial

and lateral condyles of

femur

Posterior calcaneus via

Achilles tendon

A-F plantar flexion

(Knee flexion)

Soleus

(SO-lee-us)

Posterior aspect of

upper tibia, fibula, and

interosseus membrane

Posterior calcaneus via

Achilles tendon

A-F plantar flexion

Stabilizes lower leg

on foot

Posteromedial muscles

Tibialis posterior

(tib-ee-A-lis)

Posterior aspect of upper

half of interosseous

membrane and adjacent

tibia and fibula

Plantar surface of

navicular, with offshoots to

adjacent bones

Foot inversion

A-F plantar flexion

Supports arch

Flexor hallucis longus

(FLEK-sor HAL-u-sis LON-gus)

Posterior aspect of lower

two-thirds of fibula

Lower interosseous

membrane

Plantar surface of base of

distal phalanx of great toe

Great toe flexion

A-F plantar flexion

Foot inversion