Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study
English
Login Register
Courses
Anatomy
Basics Upper limb Lower limb Spine and back Thorax Abdomen Pelvis and perineum Head and neck Neuroanatomy Cross sections Radiological anatomy
Histology
Types of tissues Body systems
Articles
Anatomy
Basics Upper limb Lower limb Spine and back Thorax Abdomen Pelvis and perineum Head and neck Neuroanatomy Cross sections Radiological anatomy
Histology
Types of tissues
ArticlesAnatomyLower limbAnkle and footFlexor digiti minimi brevis of the foot
Table of contents
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

ArticlesAnatomyLower limbAnkle and footFlexor digiti minimi brevis of the foot

Flexor digiti minimi brevis of the foot

Author: Lorenzo Crumbie, MBBS, BSc • Reviewer: Jana Vasković, MD
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 4 minutes

Recommended video: Lateral plantar muscles of the foot (3D) [07:02]
Anatomy and functions of the lateral plantar muscles of the foot shown with 3D model animation.
Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle of the foot (musculus flexor digiti minimi brevis pedis)

Flexor digiti mini brevis is a small muscle found in the sole of the foot. As the plantar muscles of the foot can be classified into three groups (medial to lateral) or four layers (from superficial to deep), this muscle can be described as;

Flexor digiti mini brevis is one of the muscles responsible for flexing the toes. Other muscles in this category include flexor digitorum longus, flexor accessorius (quadratus plantae), flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis brevis, dorsal and plantar interossei and lumbricals.

Now you may be wondering how is it that there is a flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle in the foot.  This phenomenon originates from the homology between the certain muscles of the hand and foot, defined by their common pattern of attachments and functions.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle in the foot. 

Key facts about the flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle (foot)
Origin Base of metatarsal bone 5, long plantar ligament
Insertion Base of proximal phalanx of digit 5
Action Metatarsophalangeal joint 5: Toe flexion
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve (S2 – S3)
Blood supply Arcuate, lateral tarsal and lateral plantar arteries
Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Functions
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Flexor digiti minimi brevis arises from two sites:

The muscle courses over the plantar surface of 5th metatarsal before tapering into its tendon. The tendon, which blends with the tendon of abductor digiti minimi, inserts to the lateral surface of the base of proximal phalanx of 5th toe.

Relations

Flexor digiti minimi brevis lies inferior to the fifth metatarsal bone and is invested by the plantar aponeurosis. It is medial to abductor digiti minimi and lateral to third plantar interosseous muscle. Lateral branch of lateral plantar nerve is medial and superficial to flexor digiti minimi.

Abductor digiti minimi muscle of foot
Musculus abductor digiti minimi pedis
1/3
Synonyms: none

Innervation

Like all the lateral foot muscles, flexor digiti minimi brevis is innervated by the lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3), which is a branch of the tibial nerve.

Check out the videos below to review the anatomy of the foot muscles.

Muscles of the foot Explore study unit

Blood supply

There are three main vessels that supply flexor digiti minimi brevis.

Lateral plantar nerve
Nervus plantaris lateralis
1/4
Synonyms: none

Functions

Flexor digiti minimi brevis causes flexion across the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint. By doing this, the muscle provides structural support to maintain the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot, which is important for weight-bearing during periods of long-standing.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Moore, K., Agur, A., & Dalley, A. (2006). Clinically oriented anatomy (5th ed.). Philadelphia: LippincottWilliams&Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2014). Atlas of Human Anatomy (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Standring, S., & Gray, H. (2008). Gray's anatomy (42nd ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

Layout:

  • Abdulmalek Albakkar

Illustrators:

  • Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle of the foot (musculus flexor digiti minimi brevis pedis) - Liene Znotina

Flexor digiti minimi brevis of the foot: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!