Extensor Digitorum Brevis (EDB)

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel 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

Schematic of Intrinsic Dorsal Muscles of the foot
1: Extensor digitorum brevis
2: Extensor hallucis brevis¹

Intrinsic Dorsal Muscles of the foot¹

Overview

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Extensor digitorum brevis	Calcaneus (lateral dorsal)	Bases of middle phalanx 2-4	Deep Fibular n. L5 - S1	2nd-4th Toe: MTP Extension, PIP Extension

Origin

Calcaneus (lateral dorsal surface)¹

Insertion

Bases of middle phalanges of digits 2-4¹

Nerve

Deep Fibular N. (L5, S1)¹

Action

MTP/PIP 2-4: Extension¹

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.”²

• Apply resistance dorsal surface of the proximal and distal phalanges into toe flexion²

References

1.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

2.

Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.