What muscle bends the foot up and extends the toes?

The muscle responsible for bending the foot upward (dorsiflexion) and extending the toes is the extensor digitorum longus. This muscle is located in the anterior compartment of the leg and plays a crucial role in allowing the toes to extend while also contributing to the movement of the foot at the ankle joint. When the extensor digitorum longus contracts, it pulls on the tendons that extend toward the toes, allowing for the extension needed for activities like walking and running.

The tibialis anterior also assists in dorsiflexion, but its primary action is to lift the foot without significant involvement in toe extension. The gastrocnemius is primarily a plantar flexor of the foot and does not contribute to dorsiflexion or toe extension. The fibularis longus is mainly involved in eversion and plantar flexion of the foot rather than bending the foot upward or extending the toes. Each of these muscles has its specific functions, reinforcing the role of the extensor digitorum longus in bending the foot up and extending the toes.