Which muscles are primarily responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot?

The muscles primarily responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot include the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus tertius.

Dorsiflexion is the movement of the foot that brings the toes closer to the shin. The tibialis anterior is the key muscle that performs this action, as it allows the foot to move upward. The extensor hallucis longus plays a role in dorsiflexing the big toe and assisting with foot elevation. Similarly, the extensor digitorum longus extends the toes while also facilitating dorsiflexion. Lastly, the peroneus tertius, though not present in everyone, assists in dorsiflexing and everting the foot.

In contrast, the other muscle groups mentioned do not primarily function in dorsiflexion. The muscles listed in other options focus on actions like plantarflexion (tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius) or do not significantly contribute to raising the foot at the ankle joint. This distinction clarifies why the first option accurately identifies the muscles responsible for dorsiflexion specifically.