Extensor Digitorum Brevis (EDB)

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Figure 1: Intrinsic foot muscles

Muscles of the anterior leg2

Muscles of the anterior leg

The Mucous sheaths of the tendons around the ankle (lateral view)2

The Mucous sheaths of the tendons around the ankle (lateral view)

Overview

Origin

Calcaneus (lateral dorsal surface)

Insertion

Bases of middle phalanges of digits 2-4

According to Brad Jones, the EDB inserts distally on the lateral aspect of the EDL tendons.

Nerve

Deep Fibular N. (L5, S1)

Action

MTP/PIP 2-4: Extension

Note

Since the EDB only inserts and acts on toes 2-4, the 5th (pinky) toe only extends through EDL contraction.

MMT

“The EDL and the EDB muscles produce the motion of extension at the MTP and IP joints of the lateral four digits from a flexed position.”

  • Apply resistance dorsal surface of the proximal and distal phalanges into toe flexion

References

1.
Betts JG, Blaker W. Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details
2.
Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/
3.
Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.
4.
Jones B. B Project Foundations. b Project; 2025.
5.
Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.

Citation

For attribution, please cite this work as: