Muscle(s) causing dorsiflexion of foot is/are -a) Extensor digitorum longusb) Extensor hallucis longusc) Flexor digitorum longusd) Flexor hallucis longuse) Tibialis anterior
## Core Concept
Dorsiflexion of the foot refers to the movement that elevates the foot upwards, bringing the top of the foot towards the shin. This action is primarily facilitated by muscles in the anterior (front) compartment of the leg. The key muscles responsible for this movement are those that can extend the ankle joint.
## Why the Correct Answer is Right
The correct answer involves identifying the muscles that cause dorsiflexion of the foot.
- **Extensor digitorum longus (a)**: This muscle is responsible for extending the toes and also assists in dorsiflexion of the foot.
- **Extensor hallucis longus (b)**: This muscle extends the big toe and aids in dorsiflexion of the foot.
- **Tibialis anterior (e)**: This muscle is a primary dorsiflexor of the foot and also involved in foot inversion.
## Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect
- **Option C: Flexor digitorum longus**: This muscle is involved in flexing the toes and inverting the foot, not dorsiflexion.
- **Option D: Flexor hallucis longus**: This muscle helps in flexing the big toe and does not contribute to dorsiflexion.
## Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact
A key clinical correlation to remember is that weakness in the anterior compartment muscles (e.g., tibialis anterior) can lead to foot drop, a condition characterized by the inability to dorsiflex the foot. This often results in a steppage gait to avoid tripping.
## Correct Answer:
To accurately reflect the question and standardize the response without directly referencing the query:
The muscles causing dorsiflexion of the foot include **Extensor digitorum longus**, **Extensor hallucis longus**, and **Tibialis anterior**. Therefore, the correct options are **a**, **b**, and **e**.
**Correct Answer: B.**