Flexor digiti minimi brevis of the foot
What is the Flexor digiti minimi brevis of the foot?
The flexor digiti minimi brevis of the foot is a small muscle located in the sole of the foot. It is one of the intrinsic muscles of the foot and plays a role in flexion and stabilization of the fifth (little) toe.
This muscle can be divided into three groups (medial to lateral) or four layers (superficial to deep);
Along with the abductor digiti minimi and opponens digiti minimi, one of the lateral plantar muscles.
A portion of the muscles of the third layer, including the adductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis.
The homology of a few muscles in the hand and foot, characterized by a similar arrangement of attachments and functions, is the source of this phenomenon.
Origin
The flexor digiti minimi muscle originated at the base of the 5th metatarsal bone.
Insertion
The base of the 5th digit’s proximal phalanx.
Relations
The plantar aponeurosis invests in the flexion of the flexor digiti minimi brevis, located below the fifth metatarsal bone. It is lateral to the third plantar interosseous muscle and medial to the abductor digiti minimi. The flexor digiti minimi are served by the lateral plantar nerve’s medial and superficial lateral branches.
Innervation
The lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3), a tibial nerve branch, innervates the flexor digiti minimi brevis and all lateral foot muscles.
Blood supply
The flexor digiti minimi brevis is supplied by three main vessels.
Anterior tibial artery, through its two branches; arcuate and lateral tarsal arteries
Posterior tibial artery, through a lateral plantar artery
Functions
The primary function of the flexor digiti minimi brevis is to flex the fifth toe, pulling it downward towards the sole of the foot. It also helps in maintaining the arch of the foot and contributes to stabilization during walking and standing.
The 5th metatarsophalangeal joint is flexed by the flexor digiti minimi brevis. The muscle does this by providing structural support for the foot’s lateral longitudinal arch, which is crucial for long-term weight-bearing periods.
Relations
The flexor digiti minimi brevis lies deep to the plantar aponeurosis and is located near other intrinsic foot muscles, such as the abductor digiti minimi, quadratus plantae, and lumbricals.
Flexor digiti minimi muscle Exercise
Flexor digiti minimi muscle stretching exercise
Toe flexion passive
Bend your toes in the direction of you while sitting with one leg over the other.
Flexor digiti minimi muscle strengthening
Toe abduction band
Spread the toes as far outward as you can with a band around them.
Clinical significance
Dysfunction or injury to the flexor digiti minimi brevis can result in difficulty in flexing the fifth toe or maintaining proper foot mechanics. Common conditions affecting this muscle include flexor digiti minimi brevis tendinitis, which is inflammation of the tendon, and flexor digiti minimi brevis strain or tear.
FAQ
What does the flexor digiti minimi brevis do in the foot?
The flexor digiti minimi brevis is one of the deep third layers of muscles on the plantar surface of the foot. The action of the small toe flexes the metatarsophalangeal joint. It originates from the base of the fifth metatarsal and the sheath of the peroneus longus tendon.
What is the origin of the flexor digiti minimi brevis m of the foot?
It comes from the sheath of the Fibularis longus and the base of the fifth metatarsal bone; Its tendon is inserted into the fifth toe’s first phalanx base on the lateral side.
How do you stretch the flexor digiti minimi brevis in your foot?
Stretch your little toe at its bottom joint toward the top of your foot to stretch your flexor digiti minimi brevis in your foot. You do not need to make a significant stretch; Moving that joint just a little bit will help.
What is the blood supply of the flexor digiti minimi foot?
The medial plantar artery supplies the abductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis muscles with the majority of their blood supply. The lateral plantar artery supplies the abductor digiti minimi and flexor digiti minimi brevis muscles with the majority of their blood supply. Both arteries’ branches reach the flexor digitorum brevis muscle.
What artery is responsible for supplying blood to the foot?
Through the lateral, variable medial, dorsal metatarsal, and arcuate arteries, the dorsalis pedis artery delivers blood to the entire dorsal surface of the foot. The soleus muscle is punctured by the posterior tibial artery, which runs posterior to the popliteus muscle.
