Extensor Digitorum Longus (EHL)

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 Muscles in the Anterior Compartment of the Leg
1: Tibialis Anterior
2: Extensor Hallucis Longus
3: Extensor Digitorum Longus
4: Fibularis Tertius

Muscles in the Anterior Compartment of the Leg

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Extensor digitorum longus	Lateral condyle of Tibia Fibular head and medial surface IO membrane	Dorsal aponeurosis of 2-5th distal phalanges	Deep Fibular n. L4 - L5	TCJ: DF STJ: INV or EV (position dependent) 2nd-5th Toe: MTP Extension, PIP Extension, DIP Extension

Origin

• Tibia (lateral condyle)¹
• Fibula (head and medial surface)¹
• IO membrane¹

Insertion

• 2nd to 5th toes (at the dorsal aponeuroses at the bases of the distal phalanges)¹

Nerve

Deep Fibular N. (L4, L5)¹

Action

• TCJ: DF
• STJ: Eversion
• MTP & IP 2-5 Toe: Extension

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.