What is the primary action of the tibialis anterior?

The primary action of the tibialis anterior is dorsiflexion, which is the movement that brings the top of the foot closer to the shin. This muscle is located in the anterior compartment of the leg and plays a crucial role in walking, running, and maintaining balance by controlling the position of the foot during these activities.

Dorsiflexion occurs at the ankle joint, allowing the toes to be lifted upwards. The tibialis anterior is also involved in stabilizing the ankle and supporting the arch of the foot. While other actions, such as eversion (the movement of the sole of the foot away from the midline) and inversion (the movement of the sole of the foot toward the midline), are important for various functions of foot stability and movement, they are not the primary action of the tibialis anterior. Similarly, plantar flexion, which is the opposite movement (pointing the toes down), is primarily facilitated by different muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg.