The |extensor digitorum| brevis originates from the front end of the calcaneum (heel bone), the inferior |extensor retinaculum|, and the lateral talocalvaneal ~ligament~. It is made up of four slender, flat bellies that pass over the top of the foot. Three of the bellies insert into ~tendons~ of the middle three toes. The most medial portion of the |extensor digitorum| brevis is also referred to as the extensor hallucis brevis. It inserts into the base of the first phalanx of the big toe. The muscles work to extend the big toe and the second, third, and fourth toes.
