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The human foot is a complex structure that requires the action of many muscles to function. The toes, in particular, are controlled by several muscles, including the flexor hallucis brevis, abductor hallucis, and adductor hallucis for the big toe, and the flexor digitorum longus, lumbricals, flexor digitorum brevis, and quadratus plantae for the remaining toes. The little toe is also controlled by the flexor digiti minimi and abductor digiti minimi, which is the muscle that separates the toes.
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What You'll Learn
- The abductor digiti minimi is the muscle that separates the toes
- The abductor hallucis muscle is located on the medial side of the sole
- The flexor digitorum brevis is located in the centre of the sole
- The extensor hallucis brevis is on the top of the foot
- The extensor digitorum longus is a deep-lying extrinsic muscle
The abductor digiti minimi is the muscle that separates the toes
The abductor digiti minimi muscle originates from the medial and lateral tubercles of the calcaneus and the plantar aponeurosis. It attaches to the lateral base of the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit, or little toe. The muscle's action is to abduct and flex the little toe, and it is innervated by the lateral plantar nerve.
The abductor digiti minimi is part of a group of muscles known as the hypothenar eminence, which are located on the little finger's side of the hand. The term abductor is used to describe a muscle that moves a limb away from the body's midline. In the case of the abductor digiti minimi, it specifically moves the little toe away from the other toes.
The other muscles that separate the toes include the flexor digitorum brevis, which originates from the heel and attaches to all the toes except the little toe. The extensor digitorum brevis is another muscle that separates the toes, and it is an intrinsic muscle lying beneath the tendon of the extensor digitorum longus. The extensor digitorum longus is an extrinsic muscle that runs down the length of the tibia and attaches to the toes.
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The abductor hallucis muscle is located on the medial side of the sole
The abductor hallucis muscle is an intrinsic muscle of the foot, meaning it is entirely contained within the foot and helps with fine motor movements and stability. It is part of the superficial layer of the plantar foot muscles, alongside the flexor digitorum brevis and abductor digiti minimi. It is the most medial muscle of the foot, running medially to the flexor hallucis brevis muscle. The plantar surface of the abductor hallucis is covered by the plantar aponeurosis, while its dorsal surface is related to the tendon of the flexor digitorum longus, medial plantar artery, and nerve.
The abductor hallucis plays an important role in stabilising the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. It helps to preserve the central position of the big toe during walking, and if this function is hindered, it may result in deformities of the toes, such as hallux valgus. The abductor hallucis also aids in the flexion of the big toe, along with the flexor hallucis longus and flexor hallucis brevis muscles.
The blood supply for the abductor hallucis muscle comes from two arteries: the medial plantar artery, a branch of the posterior tibial artery, and the first plantar metatarsal artery, a branch of the lateral plantar artery. The abductor hallucis is supplied by the medial plantar nerve (S1 and S2), a terminal branch of the tibial nerve. The nerves that supply it enter the muscle from its upper border, and it is innervated by the medial plantar nerve.
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The flexor digitorum brevis is located in the centre of the sole
The flexor digitorum brevis is a broad, short, and fusiform skeletal muscle located in the first layer of muscles in the plantar part of the foot. It is situated in the centre of the sole, sandwiched between the plantar aponeurosis and the tendons of the flexor digitorum longus.
The flexor digitorum brevis originates from three sites: the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity, the plantar aponeurosis, and the intermuscular septum. Its large muscle belly spans across the medial side of the plantar aspect of the foot. The muscle fibres divide into four slits approximately halfway across the sole of the foot, each giving off its own tendon for one of the lateral four toes. The tendons course over the respective plantar surfaces of the lateral four metatarsal bones and proximal phalanges.
The flexor digitorum brevis is involved in the flexion of the second to fifth digits at the metatarsophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints. This is different from the flexor digitorum longus, which also acts as a flexor of phalanges but starts with flexion in distal interphalangeal joints. The coordination between these two muscles is crucial for the gait cycle as they work together to maintain balance by keeping the toes in firm contact with the ground.
The flexor digitorum brevis also supports the longitudinal arch of the foot and stabilises the foot while walking or running. It is innervated by the medial plantar nerve, which is the larger of the two terminal branches of the tibial nerve. The majority of blood from the flexor digitorum brevis is drained by the medial plantar vein, which drains into the anterior and posterior tibial veins.
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The extensor hallucis brevis is on the top of the foot
The extensor hallucis brevis is a short, slender muscle located on the top of the foot. It is part of a group of dorsal foot muscles that also includes the extensor digitorum brevis and the extensor hallucis longus. The extensor hallucis brevis originates from the calcaneus (or heel bone) and attaches to the base of the proximal phalanx of the big toe, also known as the hallux.
The primary function of the extensor hallucis brevis is to assist in the extension of the big toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint. This movement is crucial for gait, as it helps to raise the big toe off the ground, facilitating walking and running. The muscle works in synergy with the extensor hallucis longus, and sometimes their fibres fuse together, forming a single muscle that extends the toes.
The extensor hallucis brevis is innervated by the deep fibular nerve, also known as the peroneal nerve, and receives its blood supply from the dorsal artery of the foot, which is a continuation of the anterior tibial artery. The muscle is covered by a deep layer of fascia, which is a continuation of the deep fascia of the leg, also known as the crural fascia.
In summary, the extensor hallucis brevis is a short muscle located on the top of the foot, originating from the calcaneus and attaching to the base of the proximal phalanx of the big toe. It plays a crucial role in gait by assisting in the extension of the big toe, and it works closely with the extensor hallucis longus to facilitate movements involved in walking and running.
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The extensor digitorum longus is a deep-lying extrinsic muscle
The muscle originates from the inferior part of the lateral tibial condyle, the proximal half of the medial surface of the fibula, and the anterior surface of the interosseus membrane. After its origin, the muscle descends and, just above the ankle, gives off a tendon that passes under the superior extensor retinaculum and through the inferior extensor retinaculum. Within the inferior extensor retinaculum, the tendon splits into four smaller tendons that are wrapped together in a synovial sheath.
The extensor digitorum longus is classified as a unipennate muscle because all the muscle fibres attach to one side of the tendon. It is also an extrinsic muscle, which means it is located in the anterior or lateral compartments of the leg. In contrast, intrinsic muscles are contained entirely within the foot.
The extensor digitorum longus is involved in dorsiflexion of the foot, as it crosses the dorsal aspect of the ankle joint. It also crosses the subtalar, metatarsophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints of the foot, allowing it to evert the foot and extend the toes. The muscle is innervated by the deep fibular nerve (L5, S1), a branch of the common fibular nerve. The leg portion of the muscle is supplied by the anterior tibial artery and the fibular artery.
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Frequently asked questions
The abductor digiti minimi is the muscle that separates the toes.
The abductor digiti minimi is located on the lateral side of the foot.
The abductor digiti minimi abducts (moves) the little toe away from the other toes. It is also involved in flexion of the little toe.
