Flexor Digitorum Longus Flashcards

Study flexor digitorum longus anatomy, including its tibial attachments, tendon course, tibial nerve supply, toe flexion, and plantar relationships.

Card 1 of 29Question

Which compartment of the leg contains the flexor digitorum longus?

The deep posterior compartment of the leg.

In This Section

1. Which compartment of the leg contains the flexor digitorum longus?

The deep posterior compartment of the leg.

2. Is the flexor digitorum longus an intrinsic or extrinsic foot muscle?

An extrinsic foot muscle.

3. Which bone provides the primary origin of the flexor digitorum longus?

The posterior surface of the tibia, inferior to the soleal line.

4. Which fascial structure provides an additional attachment for the flexor digitorum longus?

The deep transverse intermuscular septum of the leg.

5. Where does the flexor digitorum longus insert?

The plantar surfaces of the bases of the distal phalanges of toes two through five.

6. Into how many terminal tendons does the flexor digitorum longus divide?

Four tendons, one for each of toes two through five.

7. What is the primary action of the flexor digitorum longus?

Flexion of toes two through five, particularly at their distal interphalangeal joints.

8. Which additional toe joints can the flexor digitorum longus flex?

The proximal interphalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of toes two through five.

9. What movement does the flexor digitorum longus assist at the ankle?

Plantarflexion of the foot.

10. Which movement at the subtalar joint can the flexor digitorum longus assist?

Inversion of the foot.

11. Which longitudinal arch of the foot is supported by the flexor digitorum longus?

The medial longitudinal arch.

12. Which nerve innervates the flexor digitorum longus?

The tibial nerve.

13. Which spinal nerve roots primarily contribute to the innervation of flexor digitorum longus?

S2 and S3.

14. Which artery primarily supplies the flexor digitorum longus?

The posterior tibial artery.

15. Which veins primarily drain the flexor digitorum longus?

The posterior tibial veins.

16. Which muscle lies lateral to the flexor digitorum longus in the deep posterior leg?

Flexor hallucis longus.

17. Which muscle lies anterior to the flexor digitorum longus in the deep posterior compartment?

Tibialis posterior, particularly in the proximal and middle leg.

18. Which bony landmark does the flexor digitorum longus tendon pass behind at the ankle?

The medial malleolus of the tibia.

19. What is the position of the flexor digitorum longus tendon within the tarsal tunnel?

Immediately posterior to the tibialis posterior tendon.

20. Which retinaculum holds the flexor digitorum longus tendon in place behind the medial malleolus?

The flexor retinaculum of the ankle.

21. Which tendon crosses the flexor digitorum longus tendon near the medial ankle?

The tibialis posterior tendon, at the crural tendinous chiasm.

22. Which tendon crosses the flexor digitorum longus tendon in the sole of the foot?

The flexor hallucis longus tendon, at the knot of Henry.

23. Which intrinsic plantar muscle attaches to the flexor digitorum longus tendon?

Quadratus plantae.

24. Which intrinsic foot muscles originate from the flexor digitorum longus tendons?

The four plantar lumbricals.

25. How do the flexor digitorum longus tendons relate to the flexor digitorum brevis tendons?

They pass through the splits in the flexor digitorum brevis tendons toward the distal phalanges.

26. Which plantar muscle layer contains the flexor digitorum longus tendons and their associated lumbricals?

The second plantar muscle layer.

27. What functional role does the flexor digitorum longus play during walking?

It assists toe gripping and stabilizes the forefoot during push-off.

28. How is flexor digitorum longus function commonly tested clinically?

By asking the patient to flex the distal joints of toes two through five against resistance.

29. What functional deficit may follow complete rupture of the flexor digitorum longus tendon?

Loss of active distal interphalangeal flexion in the affected lesser toe or toes.