Muscles of the Foot

Question 1

Dorsal lnterosseous (foot)

Answer 1

Origin Shafts of adjacent metatarsal bones
Insertion Bases of the proximal phalanges for digit 2 (both sides), & digits 3,4
(lateral sides)
Action Abducts digits 2-4 (move these digits away from midline as defined by a
plane passing through the 2nd digit); flexes the MTP joints and extends
the interphalageal joint of those digits
Innervation Deep branch of lateral plantar nerve
Artery Dorsal metatarsal aa.

Question 2

Extensor Digitorum Brevis

Answer 2

Origin Superolateral surface of the calcaneus
Insertion Extensor expansion of digits 2-4
Action Extends digits 2-4
Innervation Deep fibular (peroneal) nerve
Artery Dorsalis pedis a.

Question 3

Extensor Hallucis Brevis

Answer 3

Origin Superolateral surface of the calcaneus
Insertion Dorsum of base of proximal phalanx of the big toe
Action Extends the big toe
Innervation Deep fibular (peroneal) nerve
Artery Dorsalis pedis a.

Question 4

Abductor Digiti Minimi (foot)

Answer 4

Origin Medial and lateral side of the tuberosity of the calcaneus
Insertion Lateral side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the 5th digit
Action Abducts 5th toe; flexes the MTP joint
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve
Artery Lateral plantar a.

Question 5

Abductor Hallucis

Answer 5

Origin Medial side of the tuberosity of calcaneus
Insertion Medial side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the big toe (hallux)
Action Abducts the big toe; flexes the MTP joint
Innervation Medial plantar nerve
Artery Medial plantar a.

Question 6

Adductor Hallucis

Answer 6

Origin Oblique head: bases of metatarsals 2-4
Transverse head: heads of metatarsals 3-5
Insertion Lateral side of base of the proximal phalanx of the big toe
Action Adducts the big toe (moves it toward mid line of the foot- toward 2nd
digit)
Innervation Deep branch of lateral plantar nerve
Artery Plantar arterial arch

Question 7

Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis (foot)

Answer 7

Origin Base of 5th metatarsal
Insertion Lateral side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the 5th digit
Action Flexes the MTP joint of the 5th digit
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve
Artery Lateral plantar a.

Question 8

Flexor Digitorum Brevis

Answer 8

Origin Tuberosity of the calcaneus & plantar aponeurosis
Insertion Bases of the distal phalanges of digits 2-5
Action Flexes the MTP & PIP joints of digits 2-5
Innervation Medial plantar nerve
Artery Medial & lateral plantar aa.

Question 9

Flexor Hallucis Brevis

Answer 9

Origin Cuboid, lateral cuneiform, medial side of 1st metatarsal
Insertion Medial belly: medial side of proximal phalanx of big toe
Lateral belly: lateral side of proximal phalanx of big toe
Action Flexes the MTP joint of the big toe
Innervation Medial plantar nerve (lateral belly occasionally receives innervation from
lateral plantar nerve)
Artery Medial plantar a.

Question 10

Lumbricals (foot)

Answer 10

Origin Tendons of the flexor digitorum long us
Insertion Medial side of the extensor expansion of digits 2-5
Action Flexes the MTP joint, extends the PIP & DIP joints of digits 2-5
Innervation Medial (1st) lumbrical: medial plantar nerve
Lateral 3 lumbricals: lateral plantar nerve
Artery Medial & lateral plantar aa.

Question 11

Plantar lnterosseous

Answer 11

Origin Base and medial side of metatarsals 3-5
Insertion Bases of proximal phalanges and extensor expansions of digits 3-5
Action Adduct digits 3-5 (move toward midline of foot-2nd digit), flexes MTP
joints and extends interphalangeal joints fo digits 3-5
Innervation Deep branch of lateral plantar nerve
Artery Plantar metatarsal aa

Question 12

Quadratus Plantae

Answer 12

Origin Anterior portion of the calcaneus and long plantar ligament
Insertion Tendons of the flexor digitorum long us m.
Action Assists the flexor digitorum longus in flexing the toes
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve
Artery Lateral plantar a.