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Muscles of the foot

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

  1. Identify all of the muscles located in the foot region.
  2. Classify the foot muscles.
  3. Describe the attachments, innervation, and functions of the foot muscles.

Watch videos

The muscles of the foot are divided into four groups. The first muscle group is the central plantar group. This group is placed between the lateral and medial muscles on the plantar aspect of the foot and is comprised of 13 muscles. These muscles include: flexor digitorum brevis, quadratus plantae, 4 lumbricals, 3 plantar interossei and 4 dorsal interossei muscles.

The second muscle group is the medial plantar group. These muscles work simultaneously to produce the movements of the big toe. These muscles are the abductor hallucis, adductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis muscles. Now watch the following 3D video that will give you a comprehensive overview of this muscle group, including their anatomy, innervation and function.

The third group includes the lateral muscles of the foot. This group is also comprised of three muscles that work together to produce movements of the fifth or the "little" toe. These muscles include the abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis and opponens digiti minimi muscles.

Lastly, the fourth group are the dorsal muscles of the foot. As their name suggests, they are located on the dorsal aspect of the foot and include only two muscles: the extensor digitorum brevis, extensor hallucis brevis muscles.

Watch the video below to find out more about the muscles of the foot.

Check out the videos below to find out more about each individual muscle group of the foot.

Take a quiz

If you have watched the videos on the muscles of the foot, you can now take the quiz below to test what you have learned.

Do you want to make your own personalized quiz on the anatomical structure of the foot? Well you can, all you have to do is click on the custom quiz!

Browse atlas

Now you can observe each muscle of the foot in more detail with our atlas gallery.

Summary

Key points about the muscles of the foot
Central muscles of the sole of the foot Flexor digitorum brevis, quadratus plantae, lumbrical muscles I-IV, plantar interossei muscles I-III, dorsal interossei muscles I-IV
Lateral muscles of the sole of the foot Abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, opponens digiti minimi
Medial muscles of the sole of the foot Abductor hallucis, adductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis
Dorsal muscles of foot Extensor digitorum brevis, extensor hallucis brevis

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