Tibialis anterior muscle

Tibialis anterior Muscle Anatomy

Tibialis anterior is a muscle of the human body that is used for the movement of the ankle joint. It has its origin on the lateral surface of the tibia, and its insertion on the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal. The muscle is one of the superficial muscles of the sole of the foot and is part of a group of muscles called the anterior compartment of the leg.

The tibialis anterior muscle, also called tibialis anticus, is the largest as compared to muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg.

It is innervated by a branch of the tibial nerve and has a blood supply from branches of the medial and lateral sural arteries, The main functions are to dorsiflex and invert the ankle.

Origin

It originates from:

• Lateral tibial condyle and upper half or two-thirds of the lateral surface of the body of the tibia
• Anterior part of the interosseous membrane
• Deep surface of the fascia
• Anterior Intermuscular septum and the Extensor digitorum longus muscle.

Insertion

Muscles run inferiorly down the leg, giving off a cord-like structure called tendon at the distal third of the tibia. The tendon travels through the ankle and dorsum of the foot to insert into the medial cuneiform bone and the related base of the first metatarsal.

• Medial cuneiform and first metatarsal bones of the foot.

Nerve supply

Deep Fibular (peroneal) nerve (L 4-5, S-1).

Blood supply

Anterior Tibial Artery – Branches are anterior muscular, medial muscular branches, and anterior tibial recurrent artery.

Muscle tendon is mainly supplied by the branches of anterior tibial artery with the branches of posterior tibial artery.

Actions

• It is the main dorsiflexor of the ankle with other muscles mainly extensor hallicus longus, extensor digitorium longus, and peroneous tertius.
• Inversion of the Ankle joint.
• It also helps in maintaining the medial arch of the foot.

Tibialis anterior muscles are an important function in the activities of day-to-day ankle movement in walking, hiking, and kicking the ball by stabilizing the ankle joint as the foot hits the floor and pulling it clear of the ground as the leg continues moving. It also supports the medial part of the longitudinal arch of the foot during ankle movement.

Muscle Relations:

The muscle is located medial to extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus, which makes it the most medial muscle in the anterior compartment of the leg. Tibialis anterior muscle also envelope the anterior tibial artery and deep fibular nerve in the upper part of the leg.

The tendon of the muscle usually passes under the extensor retinaculum which holds it in place. However, in a few cases, the superficial and deep layers of the extensor retinaculum make an independent tunnel for the muscle’s tendon.

Tibialis anterior muscle is the only muscle tendon that has its own synovial sheath at the level of the superior extensor retinaculum. This synovial sheath extends from above the superior extensor retinaculum to the level of the talonavicular joint.

Tibialis anterior tendon (TAT):

The tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) starts at the distal one-third of the tibia. It passes through the anterior ankle and dorsum of the foot to insert on the medial cuneiform and the base of the first metatarsal bone. It is the most medial tendon of the ankle and foot.

Tibialis anterior exercises:

Dorsiflexion With a Cuff Weight :

This exercise helps to strengthen your Dorsiflexors and also the Tibialis anterior muscle.

You can use a weight-cuff weight to strengthen your anterior tibialis muscle to improve your Dorsiflexors.

How to Perform this exercise?

Take a High sitting position with your weight-cuff weight on your foot and then gradually dorsi-flexing your ankle so your foot and toes move up towards your knee.
When your foot is flexed all the way up, hold the position for 5 to 10 seconds,
Gradually lower your toes back down to the first position.
Repeat the exercise for 8 to 12 repetitions.

Dorsiflexion With a Thera-Band Exercise:

Resistance-band dorsiflexion exercise helps to strengthen the dorsiflexors muscles (Anterior leg muscles). You can do this exercise at home or at the gym during your leg workout. You also need a resistance thera-band and a bench.

How to perform this exercise?

Using a Thera-band anchor, attach the thera-band or tubing securely to a bench. Place the band around the upper foot of one leg. Keep the opposite leg flexed with your foot flat on the floor. Move away from the bench to create tension on the thera-band.

Starts with keeping your ankle in a fully plantar-flexed position. Gradually dorsiflex your ankle, working against the resistance of the thera-band. After fully dorsiflexed, Hold for 5-10 seconds at the top and return to the starting position. Repeat this exercise for 8-10 times with the right leg, then switch to the left leg.

Clinical Importance:

Anterior tibial stress syndrome

Overphysical activity, mainly among sportsmen and military personnel, results in repetitive microtrauma of the muscle, causing pain along the anterior side of the tibia known as anterior shin splints or anterior tibial stress syndrome. It mostly resolves spontaneously during periods of rest, however in severe cases analgesic medicine and ice pack / Hot Pack might be used as a symptom-relieving treatment. Shin splints are also associated with small tears in the tibial periosteum which explains why stress fractures can occur as a complication.