MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Lower leg muscles

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Lower leg muscles

The muscles in the lower leg are divided into several compartments. The muscles in the anterior compartment include the tibialis anterior, extensor halluscis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneous tertius. This group of muscle primarily extends the toes and dorsiflexes the ankle. When there is inflammation in the anterior compartment a painful condition called shinsplints can occur.

Update Date: 11/2/2006

Updated by: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Reviewprovided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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