Abductor digiti minimi muscle of the foot

What is the Abductor digiti minimi muscle of the foot?

Abductor digiti minimi is a unipennate muscle found in the lateral aspect of the sole. As there are horizontal and vertical sets of foot muscles into four layers and three groups respectively, the complete address of this muscle is that it belongs to them;

The first layer of plantar foot muscles, along with the abductor hallucis and flexor digitorum brevis
Lateral plantar muscles, alongside the flexor digiti minimi, brevis, and opponens digiti minimi
Extending between the calcaneus and fifth digit, the role of abductor digiti minimi is to support the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot during walking and running by abducting the fifth toe.

Origin

Calcaneus and plantar aponeurosis.

Insertion

The lateral side of the fifth toe’s proximal phalanx base

Relations

This muscle is located just above the flexor digiti minimi brevis and deep within the lateral plantar fascia. The abductor digiti minimi muscle is the most lateral in the first layer and lies along the lateral border of the foot. The flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle and the lateral plantar artery and nerve are located medially to it.

Innervation

The lateral plantar nerve (S1, S3), a tibial nerve branch, innervates the abductor digiti minimi.

Blood supply

This muscle is supplied by the lateral plantar artery

Functions

This muscle is a much more powerful flexor of the fifth toe at its metatarsophalangeal joint, despite being referred to as the abductor.

Its role is similar to that of the abductor hallucis muscle from the opposite side of the foot; it keeps the concavity of the foot by keeping the lateral longitudinal arch during walking, running, and jumping.

Clinical relevance

In infrequent conditions, the muscle may be bifid. The further belly can be utilized as a flap in reconstructive medical procedures of the foot and might be remembered for Baxter’s neuropathy

Abductor digiti minimi muscle stretching

By flexing the little toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint, the intrinsic muscle of the foot known as the abductor digiti minimi pedis is stretched.

Abductor digiti minimi muscle strengthening

The abduction

Attempt to spread your toes outwards. The exercise is quite challenging, and the outer toes may not move at all. However, even if the toes do not move, the contraction of the muscles will continue. Ten times, three times a day, practice it.

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