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Flexor digiti minimi brevis of the foot

Recommended video: Lateral plantar muscles of the foot (3D) [07:02]
Anatomy and functions of the lateral plantar muscles of the foot shown with 3D model animation.
Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle of the foot (musculus flexor digiti minimi brevis pedis)

Flexor digiti mini brevis is a small muscle found in the sole of the foot. As the plantar muscles of the foot can be classified into three groups (medial to lateral) or four layers (from superficial to deep), this muscle can be described as;

Flexor digiti mini brevis is one of the muscles responsible for flexing the toes. Other muscles in this category include flexor digitorum longus, flexor accessorius (quadratus plantae), flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis brevis, dorsal and plantar interossei and lumbricals.

Now you may be wondering how is it that there is a flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle in the foot.  This phenomenon originates from the homology between the certain muscles of the hand and foot, defined by their common pattern of attachments and functions.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle in the foot. 

Key facts about the flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle (foot)
Origin Base of metatarsal bone 5, long plantar ligament
Insertion Base of proximal phalanx of digit 5
Action Metatarsophalangeal joint 5: Toe flexion
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve (S2 – S3)
Blood supply Arcuate, lateral tarsal and lateral plantar arteries
Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Functions
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Flexor digiti minimi brevis arises from two sites:

The muscle courses over the plantar surface of 5th metatarsal before tapering into its tendon. The tendon, which blends with the tendon of abductor digiti minimi, inserts to the lateral surface of the base of proximal phalanx of 5th toe.

Relations

Flexor digiti minimi brevis lies inferior to the fifth metatarsal bone and is invested by the plantar aponeurosis. It is medial to abductor digiti minimi and lateral to third plantar interosseous muscle. Lateral branch of lateral plantar nerve is medial and superficial to flexor digiti minimi.

Innervation

Like all the lateral foot muscles, flexor digiti minimi brevis is innervated by the lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3), which is a branch of the tibial nerve.

Check out the videos below to review the anatomy of the foot muscles.

Blood supply

There are three main vessels that supply flexor digiti minimi brevis.

Functions

Flexor digiti minimi brevis causes flexion across the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint. By doing this, the muscle provides structural support to maintain the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot, which is important for weight-bearing during periods of long-standing.

Flexor digiti minimi brevis of the foot: want to learn more about it?

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