Which muscle assists in maintaining the longitudinal arch of the foot?

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Dynamic support of the foot’s arches comes from how extrinsic muscles act across the sole. The peroneus longus plays a key role by forming a tendon that runs from the fibula, around the outside of the ankle, and under the foot to attach on the base of the first metatarsal and the medial cuneiform. When it contracts, it pulls on the plantar surface of the foot, effectively tensioning the arch and helping to maintain height during weight bearing and push-off. This action supports the longitudinal arch, especially by stabilizing the transverse aspect of the foot and acting as a supportive link across the arch.

In contrast, the other muscles listed mainly contribute to movements like dorsiflexion, toe flexion, or plantarflexion without providing the same dynamic arch support. Tibialis anterior primarily dorsiflexes and inverts the foot; flexor digitorum longus flexes the toes and offers some passive arch support but not as directly; gastrocnemius mainly plantarflexes the ankle and contributes to propulsion rather than arch stabilization.