Abductor digiti minimi muscle of foot

Origin and insertion

It arises, by a broad origin, from the lateral process of the tuberosity of the calcaneus, from the under surface of the calcaneus between the two processes of the tuberosity, from the forepart of the medial process, from the plantar aponeurosis, and from the intermuscular septum between it and the flexor digitorum brevis.

Its tendon, after gliding over a smooth facet on the under surface of the base of the fifth metatarsal bone, is inserted, with the flexor digiti quinti brevis, into the fibular side of the base of the first phalanx of the fifth toe.

Innervation

The abductor digiti minimi is innervated by the lateral plantar nerve, a branch of the tibial nerve.

Function

Its function is flexion and abduction of the fifth (little) toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint.

Clinical relevance

Due to its role in posture during all physical activity while in an upright position, the abductor digiti minimi is often the target of injury.

In case of polydactyly it may insert to the sixth toe instead, if there is one.

Etymology

The Latin name abductor digiti minimi translates to abductor of the small digit while the alternative name abductor digiti quinti means abductor of fifth digit.

Additional images

Image: Muscles in the human foot (seen from below).jpg|Human cadaver dissection of the muscles in the foot seen from below. Image:Gray269.png|Bones of the right foot seen from below. Image:Gray357.png|Coronal section through right talocrural and talocalcaneal joints.

References

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References

1. Drake, Richard L.. (2010). "Gray´s Anatomy for Students".
2. "Gray, Henry. 1918. Anatomy of the Human Body". Bartleby.com.
3. Bojsen-Møller, Finn. (2001). "Bevægeapparatets anatomi".