Which tendons are involved in the condition known as "foot drop"?

Foot drop is a condition characterized by difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot, which can lead to dragging of the foot while walking. This condition typically arises from a weakness or paralysis of the muscles that are responsible for dorsiflexion—the action of raising the toes towards the shin.

The tibialis anterior muscle plays a crucial role in dorsiflexion and is directly involved in controlling the position of the foot during the swing phase of walking. It helps lift the foot in preparation for the next step. The peroneal tendons, which are associated with the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles, assist in both dorsiflexion and stabilization of the ankle.

In cases of foot drop, dysfunction or damage to the peroneal nerve—a branch of the sciatic nerve that innervates these muscles—can result in an inability to adequately lift the foot. Therefore, the involvement of the tibialis anterior tendon and the peroneal tendons is critical to understanding the mechanics of foot drop.

The other options involve muscles and tendons that are primarily responsible for other motions such as plantarflexion (gastrocnemius and soleus) or flexion of the toes (flexor digitorum