anatomy/tibialis-anterior·Muscle
Tibialis anterior
Musculus tibialis anterior
The muscle at the front next to the shin. It lifts the foot so the toes don't catch when walking.
// Structure & location
The muscle lies just outside the shin bone's palpable edge. Its tendon runs over the front of the ankle to the inner side of the foot. When you pull your toes up hard, you can see it as a cord at the front of the ankle.
// Function
According to OpenStax, the anterior muscles of the lower leg are mainly responsible for lifting the foot (dorsiflexion). It raises the toes when walking so they don't drag, and lowers the foot under control after heel strike. It also tilts the foot inwards.
// For training & sport
- Tibia raises: lean your back against a wall, feet a little in front of you, and lift your toes.
- Heel walking trains it too.
// Good to know
If the muscle fails, for example due to nerve damage, the foot hangs down while walking (foot drop). People then lift the knee extra high to avoid tripping.
// Sources
last reviewed: 2026-11-14