Flexor hallucis longus muscle

The Flexor hallucis longus is one of the deep muscles of the lower limb. Flexor hallucis longus is present in the deep posterior compartment of the leg along with other deep muscles of the leg.

Muscles of deep posterior compartment of leg

The muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg include:

• flexor hallucis longus
• flexor digitorum longus
• tibialis posterior
• popliteus

Strongest muscle of deep posterior compartment of leg

FHL is the largest and most powerful of these deep muscles.

Origin of flexor hallucis longus muscle

Flexor hallucis longus originates from the upper 1/3rd of fibula bone posteriorly.

Insertion of flexor hallucis longus muscle

It gets inserted into the distal phalanx of the big toe (hallux, hence the name).

Blood supply of flexor hallucis longus muscle

Arterial supply of flexor hallucis longus muscle is from the peroneal artery, which is the branch of posterior tibial artery.

Nerve supply of flexor hallucis longus muscle

Its neurological supply is from S1 and S2 nerve roots through tibial nerve.

Actions of flexor hallucis longus muscle

The actions of flexor hallucis longus muscle include:

• flexion of all big toe joints
• plantar flextion at the ankle joint

Antagonist of flexor hallucis longus muscle

Antagonist of flexor hallucis longus muscle is extensor hallucis longus.

FHL Table