Which muscle is associated with ankle dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot?

Which muscle is associated with ankle dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot?

• A. Tibialis Anterior
• B. Soleus
• C. Gastrocnemius
• D. Fibularis Longus

Answer: (A)

The muscle tested is the one that brings the foot upward toward the shin and turns the sole inward. The tibialis anterior is the primary dorsiflexor of the ankle and also inverts the foot by pulling the medial side of the foot upward, since its tendon attaches to the medial side of the foot. This dual action matches both movements in the question. Soleus and gastrocnemius mainly plantar flex the ankle (point the toes down), with gastrocnemius also crossing the knee. The fibularis longus primarily everts the foot (turns the sole outward) and assists with plantar flexion, not inversion. So they don’t combine both dorsiflexion and inversion like the tibialis anterior does.

The muscle tested is the one that brings the foot upward toward the shin and turns the sole inward. The tibialis anterior is the primary dorsiflexor of the ankle and also inverts the foot by pulling the medial side of the foot upward, since its tendon attaches to the medial side of the foot. This dual action matches both movements in the question.

Soleus and gastrocnemius mainly plantar flex the ankle (point the toes down), with gastrocnemius also crossing the knee. The fibularis longus primarily everts the foot (turns the sole outward) and assists with plantar flexion, not inversion. So they don’t combine both dorsiflexion and inversion like the tibialis anterior does.