Technical Tuesday Flexor
Digitorum Longus
Today’s tendon is a
mouthful: flexor digitorum longus.
Whew! It extends from the back surface of the tibia to the foot (see above),
and passes down the plantar surface of the foot.
From there it divides
into four parts and each one of these parts attach to one of the four smaller
toes (all except the big toe). It assists in flexing these toes, plus plantar
flexion*. (In other words, pointing the foot in dance - think tendues, pointe
work, etc.)
This site: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/386171-overview
states: “Injuries to the flexor hallucis
longus (FHL) tendon have classically been described in ballet dancers
secondary to their constant repetitive plantar flexion. Hence,
the injury is often called dancer's tendinitis.” Interesting to know that dancers are
responsible for naming an injury!
*Definition
of plantar flexion: movement at the ankle joint that points the foot
downward away from the leg as well as movement of the toes downward toward the
sole of the foot.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid # 94
“The flexor digitorum longus helps flex and
point the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes.”
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