Tibialis Anterior Muscle

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: Muscles of the lower leg
Figure 2: Intrinsic foot muscles

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

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

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

The Mucous sheaths of the tendons around the ankle (medial view)
Reading list
  • Ch63 Tibialis anterior muscle
  • Neuman
  • MMT

Origin

  • Tibia (upper 2/3 of the lateral surface)
  • Interosseous membrane
  • Superficial crural fascia (highest part)

Insertion

  • Medial cuneiform specifically the medial and plantar surfaces
  • 1st metatarsal (medial base)

Functionally, the anterior tibialis inserts on the convex aspect of the medial arch.

Nerve

Deep Fibular N. (L4, L5)

Action

  • Talocrural joint: Dorsiflexion
  • Subtalar joint: inversion (supination)

The tibialis anterior works more as a supinator rather than an adductor.

Observation

“The tendon of the tibialis anterior is visible at the level of the medial cuneiform and the base of the first metatarsal bone, especially if the foot is positioned in dorsiflexion and supination”

Examination

MMT

  • DF/inv
  • “The tibialis anterior muscle produces the motion of dorsiflexion and inversion. The knee must remain flexed during the test to allow complete dorsiflexion. The patient’s foot is positioned in dorsiflexion and inversion. The leg is stabilized, and resistance is applied to the medial posterior aspect of the forefoot into plantar flexion and eversion”

ROM

  • PF + EV

Palpation

Pain Referral Pattern

Tibialis anterior pain can refer to the 1st toe or in the anterior leg over the muscle belly.

Shin splints

Tibialis anterior dysfunction can lead to shin splints, more specifically anterior shin splints.

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.
Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.
4.
Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.
5.
Weinstock D. NeuroKinetic Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Manual Muscle Testing. North Atlantic Books; 2010.
6.
Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.
7.
Jones B. B Project Foundations. b Project; 2025.
8.
Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.
9.
Myers HL, Devine WH, Fossum C, et al. Compendium Edition: Clinical Application of Counterstrain. Compendium ed. Osteopathic Press; 2012.

Citation

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