All of the following muscles plantarflex the foot except for?

The muscle that does not contribute to plantarflexion of the foot is the tibialis anterior. Instead, the tibialis anterior is primarily responsible for dorsiflexion, which is the movement that lifts the foot upwards towards the shin. This action is crucial for activities such as walking and running, allowing the foot to clear the ground during the swing phase.

In contrast, the other muscles listed do perform plantarflexion. The tibialis posterior helps in pushing the foot downwards and also plays a role in supporting the arch of the foot. The flexor hallucis longus is involved in plantarflexing and also aids in flexing the big toe. The peroneal muscles (peroneus longus and peroneus brevis) assist in plantarflexion as well, contributing to the stability and function of the foot during movement.

Understanding the primary functions of these muscles is essential for both the practice of pedorthics and for assessing and correcting gait and foot-related issues.