Flexor digiti minimi of foot
Flexor digiti minimi pedis pedis
Flexor digiti minimi brevis of the foot is a small muscle under the fifth metatarsal that bends the little toe at its base.
At a glance
- English
- Flexor digiti minimi of foot
- Latin (TA2)
- Flexor digiti minimi pedis pedis
- System
- Muscle
- Region
- Lower limb
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the flexor digiti minimi of foot
This short flexor of the little toe lies in the third layer of the sole, along the underside of the fifth metatarsal. It is partly covered by abductor digiti minimi and looks much like one of the interossei. Its counterpart in the hand is the short flexor of the little finger in the hypothenar group.
Its fibres start on the fifth metatarsal's base and on the fibrous covering of the long fibular tendon, which runs in the groove under the cuboid close by. The small belly runs forwards beneath the shaft. Its tendon joins that of abductor digiti minimi and attaches to the outer edge of the little toe's proximal phalanx at its base. A few deep fibres often end on the outer part of the far half of the fifth metatarsal; when distinct, these are sometimes named opponens digiti minimi, a muscle much better developed in the hand.
The muscle flexes the little toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint, pressing it into the ground. With abductor digiti minimi it forms the fleshy pad along the outer sole and helps support the lateral longitudinal arch during standing and the push-off of walking.
It is supplied by the superficial branch of the lateral plantar nerve and by the lateral plantar artery, the nerve and vessels that run along the outer sole. Its weakness is seldom noticed on its own but forms part of the clawing of the toes seen when the lateral plantar nerve or the tibial nerve is damaged, or in conditions affecting the small foot muscles such as diabetic neuropathy.
Attachments, action and supply
- Origin
- Fifth metatarsal base and the fibrous sheath around the long fibular tendon.
- Insertion
- Outer edge of the little toe's proximal phalanx at its base, with abductor digiti minimi.
- Action
- Flexes the little toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint; supports the lateral longitudinal arch.
- Nerve supply
- Lateral plantar nerve, superficial branch (S2, S3).
- Blood supply
- Lateral plantar artery and the plantar digital artery of the little toe.
Anthromica
See the flexor digiti minimi of foot where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
