If a patient struggles to lift his toes while seated, which muscles are most likely impaired?

The correct answer focuses on the muscles responsible for extending the toes and lifting the foot's front during activities like walking or sitting. When a patient struggles to lift their toes while seated, it indicates potential impairment in the muscles that facilitate dorsiflexion of the foot and toe extension.

The Tibialis anterior is vital for dorsiflexion, meaning it lifts the front of the foot, allowing the toes to move upward. The Extensor digitorum longus also plays a crucial role as it extends the toes themselves. The combination of these two muscles is primarily responsible for the ability to lift the toes while seated.

Other options include muscles that do not directly contribute to the lifting of the toes in the same manner. For instance, while the Gastrocnemius is significant for plantarflexion (pointing the toes), it doesn't assist in lifting them. The Fibularis longus and Peroneus brevis primarily function to evert the foot and also do not aid in toe lifting. Lastly, the Flexor digitorum profundus and Tibialis posterior mainly flex the toes and contribute to foot inversion, which again does not address the action of lifting the toes. This context makes it clear why the second option is the most relevant