Flexor Hallucis Longus Flashcards

Examine flexor hallucis longus anatomy, including its fibular attachments, tendon course, tibial nerve supply, great toe flexion, and clinical relevance.

Card 1 of 29Question

Which compartment of the leg contains the flexor hallucis longus?

The deep posterior compartment of the leg.

In This Section

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

The deep posterior compartment of the leg.

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

An extrinsic muscle of the foot.

3. What is the primary bony origin of the flexor hallucis longus?

The inferior two-thirds of the posterior surface of the fibula.

4. Which fibrous structure provides an additional origin for the flexor hallucis longus?

The adjacent interosseous membrane between the tibia and fibula.

5. Where does the flexor hallucis longus insert?

The plantar surface of the base of the distal phalanx of the great toe.

6. What is the primary action of the flexor hallucis longus?

Flexion of the great toe, particularly at its interphalangeal joint.

7. Which additional great toe joint can the flexor hallucis longus flex?

The first metatarsophalangeal joint.

8. What movement does the flexor hallucis longus assist at the ankle?

Plantarflexion of the foot.

9. Which movement of the foot can the flexor hallucis longus assist?

Inversion of the foot.

10. Which longitudinal arch does the flexor hallucis longus help support?

The medial longitudinal arch of the foot.

11. Which nerve innervates the flexor hallucis longus?

The tibial nerve.

12. Which spinal nerve roots primarily contribute to flexor hallucis longus innervation?

S2 and S3.

13. Which artery primarily supplies the flexor hallucis longus?

The fibular artery, also called the peroneal artery.

14. Which veins primarily drain blood from the flexor hallucis longus?

The fibular veins accompanying the fibular artery.

15. What is the position of flexor hallucis longus relative to flexor digitorum longus in the deep posterior leg?

Flexor hallucis longus lies lateral to flexor digitorum longus.

16. Which muscle lies superficial to much of the flexor hallucis longus in the posterior leg?

The soleus muscle.

17. Which bony landmark does the flexor hallucis longus tendon pass behind at the ankle?

The medial malleolus, after coursing behind the distal tibia.

18. Which structure retains the flexor hallucis longus tendon as it passes through the tarsal tunnel?

The flexor retinaculum.

19. What is the position of the flexor hallucis longus tendon among the tendons passing behind the medial malleolus?

It is the most posterior of the three deep flexor tendons.

20. Which talar structure guides the flexor hallucis longus tendon?

The groove between the medial and lateral tubercles of the posterior talar process.

21. Which tarsal bone has a plantar groove for the flexor hallucis longus tendon?

The sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus.

22. What is the knot of Henry?

The plantar tendinous crossing of flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus.

23. Which tendon passes superficial to flexor hallucis longus at the knot of Henry?

The flexor digitorum longus tendon.

24. Which intrinsic foot muscle surrounds the distal flexor hallucis longus tendon?

Flexor hallucis brevis, whose two heads lie on either side of the tendon.

25. What is the role of flexor hallucis longus during the push-off phase of walking?

It stabilizes and flexes the great toe during propulsion.

26. How is flexor hallucis longus strength commonly tested?

By resisting flexion of the great toe at its interphalangeal joint.

27. What movement is weakened by a complete flexor hallucis longus tendon rupture?

Active flexion of the great toe at the interphalangeal joint.

28. Which repetitive activity is commonly associated with flexor hallucis longus tenosynovitis?

Ballet dancing, particularly repetitive plantarflexion and pointe work.

29. Which anatomical region is commonly affected by stenosing flexor hallucis longus tenosynovitis?

The fibro-osseous tunnel behind the talus and beneath the sustentaculum tali.