Intermediate Extensor Hallucis Brevis Quiz

Q1. Which terminal branch of the deep fibular nerve typically supplies extensor hallucis brevis?

• Lateral terminal branch
• Medial calcaneal branch
• Medial plantar branch
• Superficial fibular branch

Q2. Which artery is commonly associated with the blood supply of the short extensor muscles on the dorsum of the foot?

• Descending genicular artery
• Medial plantar artery only
• Lateral tarsal artery
• Inferior gluteal artery

Q3. How does the extensor hallucis brevis tendon relate to the extensor hallucis longus tendon near the great toe?

• It passes behind the medial malleolus
• It crosses the sole beneath abductor hallucis
• It lies within the flexor hallucis longus tendon
• It generally lies lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon

Q4. At which joint does extensor hallucis brevis have its most direct extending effect?

• Talonavicular joint
• First metatarsophalangeal joint
• First interphalangeal joint only
• Subtalar joint

Q5. Why does extensor hallucis brevis have less direct influence on the interphalangeal joint than extensor hallucis longus?

• It inserts on the proximal rather than distal phalanx
• It terminates on the first metatarsal base
• It inserts on the calcaneus
• It has no tendon

Q6. Which muscle mass is found immediately lateral to extensor hallucis brevis on the dorsum of the foot?

• Abductor hallucis
• Flexor hallucis brevis
• Extensor digitorum brevis
• Quadratus plantae

Q7. Which bone provides the proximal attachment for both extensor hallucis brevis and extensor digitorum brevis?

• Calcaneus
• First metatarsal
• Talus
• Navicular

Q8. What is the relationship of extensor hallucis brevis to the long extensor tendons crossing the dorsum of the foot?

• It lies in the plantar aponeurosis
• Its muscle belly lies deep to the long extensor tendons
• It lies entirely superficial to the skin
• It passes through the tarsal tunnel

Q9. Which movement would most directly recruit extensor hallucis brevis during examination?

• Resisted ankle plantarflexion only
• Resisted knee extension
• Resisted great toe flexion
• Resisted great toe extension

Q10. What anatomical feature distinguishes extensor hallucis brevis from the slips of extensor digitorum brevis?

• It passes behind the lateral malleolus
• It inserts into the calcaneal tendon
• It originates from the tibia
• Its tendon inserts on the great toe