Author: Dr Peter de Souza
Last modified: 2 January 2023

The extensor hallucis longus is one of the muscles within the anterior compartment of the leg. Collectively, the muscles of the anterior compartment act to extend the toes, dorsiflex the ankle and invert the foot.

The leg is comprised of anterior, lateral and posterior compartments.

The anterior compartment consists of four muscles:

Origin

  • Middle 1/2 of medial fibula
  • Interosseous membrane

Insertion

  • Dorsal base of distal phalanx of great toe

Action

  • Extension of great toe
  • Dorsiflexion of foot

Innervation

  • Deep fibular nerve: L5,S1

Blood Supply

  • Anterior tibial artery