The 8 muscles that move the foot and toes originating within the foot
Flexor Hallucis Brevis
Origin: plantar lateral cuneiform and cuboid
Insertion: plantar proximal phalange 1, via two tendons
Action: extends digit 1 at metatarsophalangeal joint
Lumbricals (foot)
Origin: plantar flexor digitorum longus tendons
Insertion: dorsal proximal phalanges 2-4, and into extensor digitorum longus tendons
Action: flexes digits 2-4 at the metatarsophalangeal joint; extends at interphalangeal joints
Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis (foot)
Origin: plantar 5th metatarsal base, medial to the opponens digit minimi
Insertion: lateral proximal phalange 5
Action: flexes digit 5 at metatarsophalangeal joint
Opponens digit minimi
Origin: two bodies from the plantar 5th metatarsal base and fibularis longus
Insertion: lateral distal half of metatarsal 5
Action: flexes digit 5 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Extensor Digitorum Brevis
Origin: distal, dorsal and lateral calcaneus
Insertion: lateral tendons of the extensor digitorum longus, digits 2-4
Action: extends digits 2-4 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Extensor Hallucis Brevis
Origin: distal, dorsal and lateral calcaneus
Insertion: dorsal base of proximal phalange 1
Action: extends digit 1 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Quadratus Plantae (Flexor Accessorius)
Origin: two bodies on the medial and lateral sides of the plantar calcaneus
Insertion: one flattened body at flexor digitorum longus tendon
Action: extends (assists) digits 2-5, via flexor digitorum longus
Flexor Digitorum Brevis
Origin: medial process of calcaneal tuberosity, plantar aponeurosis
Insertion: lateral surfaces of plantar middle phalanges 2-5, via tendon
Action: flexes digits 2-5 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
This diagram displays a superior view of the muscles whose bodies travel distally down the leg and assist in ambulation. Each muscle is fanned outwards and grouped in a way to show what functions and movements they contribute. Some muscles have been slightly exaggerated to make more visible.
The 8 muscles that move the foot and toes originating within the foot
Flexor Hallucis Brevis
Origin: plantar lateral cuneiform and cuboid
Insertion: plantar proximal phalange 1, via two tendons
Action: extends digit 1 at metatarsophalangeal joint
Lumbricals (foot)
Origin: plantar flexor digitorum longus tendons
Insertion: dorsal proximal phalanges 2-4, and into extensor digitorum longus tendons
Action: flexes digits 2-4 at the metatarsophalangeal joint; extends at interphalangeal joints
Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis (foot)
Origin: plantar 5th metatarsal base, medial to the opponens digit minimi
Insertion: lateral proximal phalange 5
Action: flexes digit 5 at metatarsophalangeal joint
Opponens digit minimi
Origin: two bodies from the plantar 5th metatarsal base and fibularis longus
Insertion: lateral distal half of metatarsal 5
Action: flexes digit 5 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Extensor Digitorum Brevis
Origin: distal, dorsal and lateral calcaneus
Insertion: lateral tendons of the extensor digitorum longus, digits 2-4
Action: extends digits 2-4 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Extensor Hallucis Brevis
Origin: distal, dorsal and lateral calcaneus
Insertion: dorsal base of proximal phalange 1
Action: extends digit 1 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Quadratus Plantae (Flexor Accessorius)
Origin: two bodies on the medial and lateral sides of the plantar calcaneus
Insertion: one flattened body at flexor digitorum longus tendon
Action: extends (assists) digits 2-5, via flexor digitorum longus
Flexor Digitorum Brevis
Origin: medial process of calcaneal tuberosity, plantar aponeurosis
Insertion: lateral surfaces of plantar middle phalanges 2-5, via tendon
Action: flexes digits 2-5 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
This diagram displays a superior view of the muscles whose bodies travel distally down the leg and assist in ambulation. Each muscle is fanned outwards and grouped in a way to show what functions and movements they contribute. Some muscles have been slightly exaggerated to make more visible.
The 8 muscles that move the foot and toes originating within the foot
Flexor Hallucis Brevis
Origin: plantar lateral cuneiform and cuboid
Insertion: plantar proximal phalange 1, via two tendons
Action: extends digit 1 at metatarsophalangeal joint
Lumbricals (foot)
Origin: plantar flexor digitorum longus tendons
Insertion: dorsal proximal phalanges 2-4, and into extensor digitorum longus tendons
Action: flexes digits 2-4 at the metatarsophalangeal joint; extends at interphalangeal joints
Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis (foot)
Origin: plantar 5th metatarsal base, medial to the opponens digit minimi
Insertion: lateral proximal phalange 5
Action: flexes digit 5 at metatarsophalangeal joint
Opponens digit minimi
Origin: two bodies from the plantar 5th metatarsal base and fibularis longus
Insertion: lateral distal half of metatarsal 5
Action: flexes digit 5 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Extensor Digitorum Brevis
Origin: distal, dorsal and lateral calcaneus
Insertion: lateral tendons of the extensor digitorum longus, digits 2-4
Action: extends digits 2-4 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Extensor Hallucis Brevis
Origin: distal, dorsal and lateral calcaneus
Insertion: dorsal base of proximal phalange 1
Action: extends digit 1 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Quadratus Plantae (Flexor Accessorius)
Origin: two bodies on the medial and lateral sides of the plantar calcaneus
Insertion: one flattened body at flexor digitorum longus tendon
Action: extends (assists) digits 2-5, via flexor digitorum longus
Flexor Digitorum Brevis
Origin: medial process of calcaneal tuberosity, plantar aponeurosis
Insertion: lateral surfaces of plantar middle phalanges 2-5, via tendon
Action: flexes digits 2-5 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
This diagram displays a superior view of the muscles whose bodies travel distally down the leg and assist in ambulation. Each muscle is fanned outwards and grouped in a way to show what functions and movements they contribute. Some muscles have been slightly exaggerated to make more visible.