Introduction
Numerous muscles, tissues, tendons, and bones make up the foot and support stability, flexibility, and movement. Extrinsic and intrinsic muscles are the two primary classifications of foot muscles.
Discussion
Extrinsic foot muscles have their origins in the lower thigh, and they fit into various foot regions to enable gross motor motions such as eversion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and plantar flexion (Bigale, n.d.). Extrinsic muscles are a large number of muscles that connect to the dorsal portion of the foot. The two primary intrinsic muscles are located in the dorsal component or top of the foot. The toes 2-4 can be extended via the extensor digitorum brevis, and another intrinsic muscle on the sole of a foot assists in stretching the big toe (Bigale, n.d.). The heel part of the foot has ten primary muscles which cooperate to maintain the foot arch and separately regulate the mobility of the toes (Bigale, n.d.).
The foot’s intrinsic muscles, which control more delicate movements, are found there, such as flexibility, extension, and abduction of the digits. The dorsum part and the plantar part of the intrinsic muscles may be further divided. The bigger muscles that move the foot and toes are known as extrinsic muscles. These muscles cross the ankle joint and are separated into Surface Posterior, Deep Posterior, Anterior, and Lateral groups (Bigale, n.d.). Extrinsic foot muscles, in particular the abductor hallucis longus, flexor latissimus dorsi, and flexor hallucis longus have to work extra hard to compensate for imbalances by weaker intrinsic foot muscles (Bigale, n.d.).
Conclusion
As a result, the interphalangeal joints flex, and the metatarsophalangeal joints hyperextend, which causes the windlass mechanism to exaggerate the foot’s longitudinal arch (Bigale, n.d.). The ideal placement of bones and ligaments results in excellent arthrokinematics, further enhancing muscular strength and tendon function.
Reference
Bigale, A. (n.d.). Muscles of the foot. Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute.