Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology

222 Chapter 9

Table 9 - 10 Muscles Moving the Foot and Toes
Muscle Function
Gastrocnemius Plantar flexes foot, flexes leg, supinates foot
Soleus Plantar flexes foot
Tibialis posterior Plantar flexes foot
Tibialis anterior Dorsally flexes foot
Peroneus tertius Dorsally flexes foot
Peroneus longus Everts, plantar flexes foot
Peroneus brevis Everts foot
Plantaris Plantar flexes foot

Muscles Moving the Toes^

Muscle Function

Flexor hallucis brevis Flexes great toe

Flexor hallucis longus Flexes great toe

Extensor hallucis longus Extends great toe, dorsiflexes ankle

Interossei dorsales Abduct, flex toes

Flexor digitorum longus Flexes toes, extends foot

Extensor digitorum longus Extends toes

Abductor hallucis Abducts, flexes great toe

Abductor digiti minimi Abducts little toe

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Common Disease, Disorder, or Condition

Disorders of Muscle

Disorders causing diseases to muscles can originate from a number of sources: the

vascular supply, the nerve supply or the connective tissue sheaths around the muscle

cells, or muscle bundles. The major symptoms of muscular disorders are paralysis,

weakness, degeneration or atrophy of the muscle, pain, and spasms.

Contracture

A contracture is a condition in which a muscle shortens its length in the resting state.

Contractures commonly occur in individuals who are bedridden for long periods and the

muscles are not properly exercised. Contractures can be prevented by keep-ing the

body in proper alignment when resting, shifting positions periodically, and by

periodically exercising the muscles. If contractures occur, they are treated by the slow

and painful procedure of relengthening and exercising the muscles.

Cramps

Cramps are spastic and painful contractions of muscles that occur because of an ir-

ritation within the muscle such as inflammation of connective tissue or lactic acid

buildup.

Myalgia

Myalgia (my-ALL-jee-ah) is a term that means muscle pain.