Which of the following muscles extends the big toe?

The muscle that extends the big toe is the extensor hallucis longus. This muscle is located in the anterior compartment of the leg and is specifically responsible for extending the first digit, or big toe, at both the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. It plays a crucial role during activities such as walking, running, and jumping, as it helps to lift the toe off the ground, contributing to proper foot mechanics and overall locomotion.

In contrast, the flexor hallucis longus is primarily involved in flexing the big toe rather than extending it, and the abductor hallucis is responsible for abducting (moving away from the midline) the big toe. The peroneus longus assists with the eversion of the foot and plays a role in plantarflexion but does not have a direct function in extending the big toe.