Author: Dr Peter de Souza
Last modified: 2 January 2023

The tibialis anterior is one of the muscles within the anterior compartment of the leg. Collectively, the muscles of the anterior compartment act to extend the toes, dorsiflex the ankle and invert the foot.

The leg is comprised of anterior, lateral and posterior compartments.

The anterior compartment consists of four muscles:

Origin

  • Lateral tibial condyle and proximal 2/3 shaft
  • Interosseous membrane

Insertion

  • Medial and inferior aspect of the medial cuneiform
  • Base of 1st metatarsal

Action

  • Dorsiflexion of foot
  • Inversion of foot
  • Support of medial foot arch

Innervation

  •  Deep fibular nerve: L4,L5

Blood Supply

  • Anterior tibial artery