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.
