Flexor Digiti Minimi of Foot

Origin

The flexor digiti minimi muscle of foot originates from the plantar aspect of the base of the fifth metatarsal bone.

Insertion

The fibers of the flexor digiti minimi muscle of foot travel anteriorly and insert, via a short tendon, onto the plantar aspect of the base of the proximal phalanx of little toe.

Key Features & Anatomical Relations

The flexor digiti minimi muscle of foot is located in the third layer of muscles that are found in the plantar part of the foot. It is a short skeletal muscle.

In some individuals, the deep fibers of the flexor digiti minimi muscle of foot originate from the tarsal bones and insert onto the plantar aspect of the head of the fifth metatarsal bone. These fibers are referred to as the opponens digiti minimi muscle of foot.

The flexor digiti minimi muscle of foot is located:

- superior to the abductor digiti minimi muscle of foot and the tendon of the flexor digitorum longus muscle that goes to the little toe;

- inferior to the fifth metatarsal bone;

- medial to the abductor digiti minimi muscle of foot;

- lateral to the fourth lumbrical muscle of foot and the third plantar interosseous muscle of foot.

Actions

The flexor digiti minimi muscle of foot flexes the proximal phalanx at the metatarsophalangeal joint of the little toe (Standring, 2016).

References

Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.

Actions

The flexor digiti minimi muscle of foot flexes the proximal phalanx at the metatarsophalangeal joint of the little toe (Standring, 2016).