Muscle of the lower leg.ORIGIN: Head and upper fibula & Soleal line and upper medialtibia INSERTION: Through tendocalcaneus into mid-posterior calcaneus ACTION: Plantar flexes foot.
The anterior compartment muscles (tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus) hold the forefoot up during foot descent and contract eccentrically once the heel strikes the ground. The much larger gastrocnemius and soleus muscles pull the forefoot down. The tremendous stress of eccentric contractions can damage the anterior compartment muscles.