Lower

Limb
- L e c t u r e 1 0 -

Ms S Singh
Muscles of the foot

Moore: p.769-775; 781-784

 Aims & Outcomes for lecture:

1. To know the muscles of the foot.

Lower Limb: Outcomes 42.- 43.

Muscles
of the
Foot

Table 7.13-II, p.757

Plantar muscles of the foot: = 4 layers in
= 4 compartments
Supplied by tibial n. via medial & lateral plantar nn.
Functions:
✓ not important individually
✓ Primarily maintain arches- foot (support phase:
stance)
✓ stabilize foot for push off
✓supination/pronation of foot for uneven ground
✓maintain balance (↑
pressure of foot in different aspects of sole)
Two neurovascular planes:
➢ superficial (between 1st/2nd layers)
➢ deep (between 3rd/4th layers) Table 7.14-I & II, p.771-772
The Foot – Compartments:
 1 layer
st

▪ M. Abductor hallucis
▪ M. Flexor digitorum brevis
▪ M. Abductor digiti minimi

Table 7.14-I, p.771

 M. Abductor hallucis:
PA: Medial tubercle -
tuberosity of calcaneus;
flexor retinaculum;
plantar aponeurosis
DA: Medial side, base proximal
phalanx, 1st toe
Nn.: Medial plantar n. (S2,3)
Function:
✓ Abduction of big toe &
✓ Flexion of big toe
 M. Flexor digitorum brevis:
PA: Med. tubercle -
tuberosity of calcaneus;
plantar aponeurosis;
intermuscular septa
DA: Both sides – middle phalanges
of lateral 4 digits
Nn.: Medial plantar n. (S2,3)
Function:
✓ Flexion of lateral 4 digits
 M. Abductor digiti minimi:
PA: : Medial & lateral tubercles -
tuberosity of calcaneus;
plantar aponeurosis;
intermuscular septa
DA: Lateral side of base proximal
phalanx - 5th digit
Nn.: Lateral plantar n. (S2,3)
Function:
✓ Abduction of little toe (5th digit)
✓ Flexion of little toe
Muscles of the 1 layer:
st

M. flexor digitorum brevis

 2 layer
nd Lumbricals

▪ M. Quadratus plantae
Quadratus plantae

▪ Lumbrical mm.

Table 7.14-I, p.771

 M. Quadratus plantae:
PA: Medial surface & lateral margin -
plantar surface of calcaneus
DA: Post-lat. margin - tendon of FDL
Nn.: Lateral plantar n. (S2,3)
Function:
✓ Assists FDL: flexion of lateral 4 digits
M. Quadratus plantae - Attachments:
 Mm. Lumbricals:
4 lumbrical muscles
PA: Tendons of FDL
DA: Medial aspect: expansion over lateral 4
digits
Nn.: Medial one: medial plantar n. (S2,3)
Lateral three: lateral plantar n. (S2,3)

Function: (lateral 4 digits)

✓ Flexion of proximal phalanges
✓ Extension of middle & distal phalanges
Mm. Lumbricalis - Attachments:

DA
Muscles of the 2 layer:
nd

M. quadratus plantae
 3 layer
rd

▪ M. Flexor hallucis brevis

▪ M. Adductor hallucis
▪ M. Flexor digiti minimi
(brevis)

Table 7.14-II, p.772

 M. Flexor hallucis brevis:
PA: Plantar surface - cuboid & lateral
cuneiforms
DA: Both sides - base proximal
phalanx 1st digit
Nn.: Medial plantar n. (S2,3)
Function:
✓ Flexion of proximal phalanx: big toe
 M. Adductor hallucis:
PA: Oblique head: bases MT’s 2-4
Transverse head: plantar ligaments of MP joints
DA: Lateral side base of proximal phalanx - 1st
digit
Nn.: Deep branch, lateral plantar n. (S2,3)

Function:
✓ Pulls lateral 4 metatarsals medially
during push-off phase –
fixes transverse arch of foot
(resist forces → spread metatarsals)
✓ Adducts big toe (traditional view)
 M. Flexor digiti minimi brevis:
PA: Base 5th metatarsal
DA: Base proximal phalanx 5th
digit
Nn.: Superficial branch –
lateral plantar n. (S2,3)

Function:
✓ Assists with flexion of proximal
phalanx 5th digit
Muscles of the 3 layer:
rd
 4 layer
th

▪ Plantar interosseous mm.

▪ Dorsal interosseous mm.

Table 7.14-II, p.772

 Plantar interossei:
3 muscles
PA: Bases & medial sides MT’s 3-5
2 1
DA: Medial sides – bases proximal 3
phalanges of digits 3-5
Nn.: Lateral plantar n. (S2,3)
Function:
✓ Adduction of digits 3-5 (PAD)
✓ Flexion of metatarso-phalangeal
(MP) joints
4 muscles
Dorsal interossei:
PA: Adjacent sides MT’s 1-5
1 2
DA: 1st :
Medial side of proximal 3
4
phalanx of 2nd digit
2nd-4th : Lateral sides – bases
proximal phalanges of digits 2-4
Nn.: Lateral plantar n. (S2,3)
Function:
✓ Abduction of digits 2-4 (DAB)
✓ Flexion of metatarso-
phalangeal (MP) joints
Muscles of the 4 layer:
th
 Plantar muscles of
the foot
1ST LAYER: 3RD LAYER:
✓ M. abductor hallucis ✓ M. flexor hallucis brevis
✓ M. flexor digitorum brevis ✓ M. adductor hallucis
✓ M. abductor digiti minimi ✓ M. flexor digiti minimi brevis
2ND LAYER: 4TH LAYER:
✓ M. quadratus plantae ✓ Plantar interossei
✓ Mm. lumbricalis ✓ Dorsal interossei
Muscle layers - Foot:
Plantar muscles –
1 layer:
st
Plantar muscles –
2 layer:
nd
Plantar muscles – 3rd
layer:
Plantar muscles – 4 layer:
th
 Dorsal muscles of the
foot

▪ M. extensor digitorum brevis

▪ M. extensor hallucis brevis

Table 7.14-III, p.773

 M. Extensor digitorum brevis:
EDB: Fleshy part - lateral side of foot
PA: Calcaneus; IO talocalcaneal ligament;
stem of inf. extensor retinaculum
DA: Long extensor tendons middle toes (2-4)
Nn.: Deep fibular n. (L5,S1)
Function:
✓ Assists EDL - extension of middle 3 toes
(MP & IP joints)
M. Extensor digitorum brevis -
Attachments:
M. Extensor hallucis brevis:
PA: Same as EDB
DA: Dorsal aspect – base
proximal phalanx big toe
Nn.: Deep fibular n. (L5,S1)
Function:
✓ Aids EHL in extension of big toe
(MP joint)
Dorsal muscles – Surface anatomy:
Contusion of these muscles looks
like a sprained ankle.
Foot – Surface anatomy: