What is contained in the anterior compartment of the leg?

The anterior compartment of the leg mainly contains muscles that are responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot and extension of the toes. One of the significant muscles located in this compartment is the extensor digitorum longus, which plays a crucial role in extending the lateral four toes and assisting with dorsiflexion at the ankle. This function is essential for activities such as walking and running, as it helps lift the toes and the foot during the swing phase of gait.

The other listed muscles belong to different compartments or serve different functions. For example, the extensor pollicis longus is located in the posterior compartment of the forearm and is involved with the thumb rather than the toes. The flexor hallucis longus, on the other hand, is found in the posterior compartment of the leg and is responsible for flexing the big toe. Lastly, while there is a muscle called extensor digitorum, it generally refers to extensor digitorum brevis in the context of the foot, and it is found in the top of the foot rather than being categorized distinctly within the anterior compartment of the leg.

Thus, the identification of extensor digitorum longus as a muscle of the anterior compartment reflects a clear understanding