What does dorsiflexion involve?

Dorsiflexion refers specifically to the movement of the foot where the toes are brought closer to the shin or the upper surface of the foot is raised upward. This movement decreases the angle between the top of the foot and the front of the leg, effectively bending the foot at the ankle joint in a way that maximizes its upward position.

Understanding this concept is critical in human anatomy and biomechanics, especially when analyzing movements related to locomotion, sports, and rehabilitation. In contrast, moving the foot towards the floor describes plantarflexion, bending the knee backward refers to flexion at the knee joint, and rotating the ankle joint medially involves a different type of motion within the lower limb that does not pertain to dorsiflexion.