Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL)

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 Deep Flexors of the Posterior Compartment of the Leg 1: Tibialis Posterior 2: FDL 3: FHL 4: Popliteus1 — Schematic of Deep Flexors of the Posterior Compartment of the Leg
1: Tibialis Posterior
2: FDL
3: FHL
4: Popliteus¹

Deep Flexors of the Posterior Compartment of the Leg1 — Deep Flexors of the Posterior Compartment of the Leg¹

Overview

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Flexor hallucis longus	Posterior distal 2/3 of Fibula IO membrane	Base of 1st Distal Phalanx	Tibial n. L5 - S2	TCJ: PF STJ: Inversion 1st Toe: MTP Flexion, IP Flexion

Origin

Fibula (posterior distal two thirds)¹
IO membrane (adjacent)¹

Insertion

1st distal phalanx (base)¹

Innervation

Tibial N. (L5, S1, S2)¹

Action

TCJ: PF¹
STJ: INV¹
MTP and IP 1st toe: Flexion¹

MMT

“The FHB VIDEO and FHL muscles VIDEO produce MTP joint flexion and IP joint flexion. The foot is maintained in midposition. The first metatarsal is stabilized, and resistance is applied beneath the proximal and distal phalanx of the great toe into toe extension.”²

Pails & Rails

P.A.I.L.’s

Plantarflexion
Inversion
1st MTP/IP flexion

R.A.I.L.’s

Dorsiflexion
Eversion
1st toe MTP/IP extension

Stretch

3D Calf Stretch

References

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

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

Citation

For attribution, please cite this work as:

Yomogida N, Kerstein C. Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL). https://yomokerst.com/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Knee and Lower Leg/Posterior compartment/flexor_hallucis_longus_FHL.html