Which muscle is responsible for plantar flexion of the great toe?

The muscle responsible for plantar flexion of the great toe is the flexor hallucis longus. This muscle originates from the fibula and passes along the back of the ankle to insert at the base of the distal phalanx of the big toe. Its primary function is to flex the great toe, enabling plantar flexion at the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints, particularly during activities such as walking, running, and pushing off the ground.

In comparison, the flexor digitorum longus mainly flexes the lateral four toes and is not specifically targeted at the great toe. The extensor digitorum longus is involved in extending the toes and plays a role in dorsiflexion, while the fibularis tertius is more associated with dorsiflexion and eversion of the foot. Therefore, the flexor hallucis longus is the designated muscle for performing the plantar flexion of the great toe due to its anatomical position and function.