The anterior tarsal tunnel is a fibro-osseous canal found in the anterior aspect of the ankle.
On this page:
Gross anatomy
Boundaries
The anterior tarsal tunnel is beneath the inferior extensor retinaculum of the foot and bordered by the following structures 1,2:
- roof: inferior extensor retinaculum
- medial: medial malleolus
- lateral: lateral malleolus
- floor: talonavicular joint capsule or fascia
Contents
The anterior tarsal tunnel harbors tendons and neurovascular structures 1-3:
- tibialis anterior tendon
- dorsalis pedis artery and veins
- deep peroneal nerve
- extensor hallucis longus tendon
- extensor digitorum longus tendon
- peroneus tertius tendon (common variant)
There is also a mnemonic to remember the order of the anterior ankle tendons.
Variant anatomy
A frequent variant within the anterior tarsal tunnel is the peroneus tertius tendon 4.
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.