Dorsiflexion
Dorsiflexio
Definition
Dorsiflexion occurs at the ankle joint and involves the sole of the foot moving upwards away from the floor. It is in fact, the extension movement at the ankle joint.
Dorsiflexion is brought about by the combined action of extensor muscles in the front of the leg (extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus and peroneus tertius).
The opposite of dorsiflexion is plantar flexion, which also occurs at the ankle joint but it involves the foot pointing downwards towards the floor.
References
Text by Antoine Micheau, MD - Copyright IMAIOS and reviewed by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2023 IMAIOS.
Jones, O. (2020). Anatomical terms of movement in ‘TeachMeAnatomy’. Available at URL: https://teachmeanatomy.info/the-basics/anatomical-terminology/terms-of-movement/ [accessed on Feb 12th, 2023]
Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 6: Lower Limb’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 513-516.
