Extensor Hallucis Brevis

Description

Seen from an anterolateral angle on the dorsum of the right foot, the extensor hallucis brevis (EHB) arises from the superolateral calcaneus and courses distally across the lateral aspect of the talus and calcaneocuboid region toward the hallux. Its tendon passes anterior to the ankle and lies lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon, approaching the proximal phalanx of the great toe near the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Underlying osseous landmarks include the talus, calcaneus, cuboid, navicular, cuneiforms, metatarsals, and phalanges, with joint lines indicated along the intertarsal, tarsometatarsal, metatarsophalangeal, and interphalangeal articulations. Clear relationships. EHB is easy to dismiss until you teach dorsiflexion mechanics at the first ray, because it reinforces hallux extension at the metatarsophalangeal joint while the extensor hallucis longus contributes more to interphalangeal extension. The muscle belly also helps orient learners to the extensor retinaculum region and the dorsal neurovascular plane, where the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve and dorsalis pedis artery run between extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus, a common site for palpation and iatrogenic injury in dorsal approaches. For forefoot surgery, the EHB is a practical landmark when planning incisions for first MTP procedures and when discussing dorsal soft tissue balancing in hallux valgus correction. Use this plate in gross anatomy and musculoskeletal ultrasound teaching to correlate surface anatomy of the dorsum of the foot with tendon course during resisted hallux extension. It also fits well in orthopedic and podiatric texts covering hallux valgus, first MTP arthrodesis, and dorsal capsulotomy planning. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.