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Opponens digiti minimi muscle of 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.

Opponens digiti minimi is a short, intrinsic muscle of the foot. It is part of the lateral plantar muscle group, together with abductor digiti minimi and flexor digiti minimi brevis. All three muscles are located deep within the sole of the foot, on its lateral aspect. From superficial to deep, opponens digiti minimi occupies the third layer of plantar muscles, together with flexor hallucis brevis, adductor hallucis and flexor digiti minimi brevis.

Opponens digiti minimi is considered to be an extension of flexor digiti minimi brevis. It courses shortly over the fifth metatarsal bone, attaching to it and to some surrounding soft tissue structures. Under the action of the lateral plantar nerve, opponens digiti minimi is involved in abduction and flexion of the fifth toe.

Key facts about the opponens digiti minimi muscle of foot
Origin Long plantar ligament, base of metatarsal bone 5, tendon sheath of fibularis longus
Insertion Lateral border of metatarsal bone 5
Action Metatarsophalangeal joint 5: toe abduction, toe flexion
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3)
Blood supply Arcuate, lateral tarsal and lateral plantar arteries

 This article will describe the anatomy and functions of the opponens digiti minimi of foot.

Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Functions
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Opponens digiti minimi represents deep fibers of the flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle which slip off to the distal half of the fifth metatarsal bone. Opponens digiti minimi originates from three distinct sites; long plantar ligament, base of metatarsal bone 5 and tendon sheath of fibularis longus. The muscle travels for a short distance along the fifth metatarsal bone, inserting distally into its lateral border.

Relations

Plantar muscles of the foot can be organized anatomically in two distinct ways: 

  • Vertically into three muscle compartments called medial, central and lateral.
  • Horizontally into four muscle layers, which are simply numbered from superficial to deep.

Opponens digiti minimi occupies the lateral plantar compartment of foot. It is located lateral to flexor digiti minimi brevis and the fifth metatarsal bone. In addition, it is also one of the most lateral muscles located within the sole of the foot. Opponens digiti minimi also occupies the third layer, from superficial to deep. Here, it is located deep to abductor digiti minimi, which is situated in the first layer.

Innervation

Opponens digiti minimi is innervated by the superficial branch of the lateral plantar nerve, which originates from the S2 and S3 spinal nerves. The lateral plantar nerve is a branch of the tibial nerve.

Blood supply

Opponens digiti minimi shares a similar blood supply with flexor digiti minimi brevis. It is supplied by two branches of the dorsalis pedis artery, namely the arcuate and lateral tarsal arteries. In addition, the lateral plantar artery, which stems from the posterior tibial artery, sends a plantar digital branch to the opponens digiti minimi muscle.

Functions

Opponens digiti minimi acts on the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint, causing toe flexion and abduction. Toe flexion has important functional implications during walking, running and jumping. By pulling the fifth toe firmly towards the ground, opponens digiti minimi helps to maximize the grip of the foot onto the ground, facilitating thrust during the toe-off phase. When standing still, a strong grip onto the ground improves balance. Toe abduction is also important during these activities because opponens digiti minimi splays the fifth toe when weight is suddenly applied to the forefoot.

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Opponens digiti minimi also helps to support the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot. During running and jumping activities when the bodyweight is suddenly collapsed onto the foot, the muscle maintains the arch under stress by acting as a bowstring.

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