Extensor hallucis longus

Extensor hallucis longus is also located in the anterior compartment of the leg. It originates from the medial fibula and the crural interossous membrane and inserts into the dorsal surface of the base of the distal phalanx of the hallux. As this muscle produces dorsiflexion at the ankle and the hallux, asking your subject to perform both of these motions against resistance will assist in identifying the structure. The tendon of extensor hallucis longus will become prominent just laterally to the tibialis anterior tendon.