Extensor digitorum longus

Looks like

A long muscle at the front outer shin, splitting into four tendons that run over the top of the foot to the four small toes.

What it does

Lifts the small toes and helps lift the foot at the ankle.

Keeping it well

Weakness of it and tibialis anterior causes foot drop, often from a pressed fibular nerve at the knee; new foot drop needs a doctor.

Related conditions

• Achilles tendon rupture
• Botulism
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Compartment syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Growing pains
• Heat exhaustion & heatstroke
• Lymphangitis
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Malnutrition & refeeding syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Restless legs syndrome
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Sarcoma
• Sarcopenia
• Superficial thrombophlebitis
• Tetanus
• Varicose veins
• Venomous snakebite