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The abductor digiti minimi pedis (abductor digiti quinti) muscle lies under the outside border of the foot. It originates from the calcaneum and runs along the outer edge of the foot, inserting into the outer side of the base of the first phalanx of the little toe. It is innervated by the lateral plantar nerve and supplied by the plantar artery. This muscle is for the most part concealed by the dense, fibrous fat pad of the sole of the foot. It works to flex and draw the little toe away from the foot.
 Research Abductor Digiti Minimi Pedis
In human anatomy, the calcaneum or calcaneus bone, is the largest and strongest of the tarsal bones. It projects backwards beyond the bones of the leg to provide a lever for the muscles of the calf, and forms the lower, outer part of the ankle and extends downward to form the heel. It is responsible for bearing much of the immediate stress placed upon the foot during walking.
Research Calcaneum
The extensor digitorum brevis originates from the front end of the calcaneum, the inferior extensor retinaculum, and the lateral talocalvaneal ligament. It is made up of four slender, flat bellies that pass over the top of the foot. Three of the bellies insert into tendons of the middle three toes. The most medial portion of the extensor digitorum brevis is also referred to as the extensor hallucis brevis. It inserts into the base of the first phalanx of the big toe. The
extensor digitorum brevis is innervated by deep branches of the peroneal nerves and supplied by the peroneal artery and the dorsal pedal artery. The muscles work to extend the big toe and the second, third, and fourth toes.
Research Extensor Digitorum Brevis
The flexor digitorum brevis muscle lies in the middle of the sole of the foot. It originates from the medial tubercle of the calcaneum and the plantar fascia and divides into four tendons and extends to the medial phalanges of each toe. It is innervated by the medial plantar nerve and supplied by the plantar artery. This muscle helps flex (bend) the toes.
Research Flexor Digitorum Brevis
The peroneus longus (fibular muscle) is a superficial muscle that runs along the upper part of the outside of the leg. It originates from the upper shaft of the fibula and lateral condyle of the tibia (lower leg bones), descends across the outer side of the calcaneum , crosses the sole of the foot and is inserted in the cuniform and the outer side of the base of the metatarsal bone of the big toe. The peroneus longus is innervated by the peroneal nerves and supplied by the peroneal artery. This muscle works with the peroneus brevis to extend the foot.
Research Peroneus Longus
The plantaris (tibialis gracilis) is a very small muscle that lies between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. It originates from the supracondylar ridge at the lower end of the femur (upper leg bone) and extends to a small area on the bottom of the calcaneum where it inserts with the Achillis tendon. The belly of the muscle is about three or four inches in length and tapers into a long, slender tendon that crosses between the two muscles of the calf and continues to the calcaneus. The plantaris is innervated by the tibial nerve and supplied by the posterior tibial artery. This muscle works with the gastrocnemius to extend the ankle if the foot is free and bend the knee if the foot is fixed, as when walking.
Research Plantaris
The soleus is a thick muscle located on the back of the lower leg. It originates from the upper part of the fibula and the tendonous arch connecting the head of the fibula to the tibia. The muscle is thickest at its mid-section where its flattened form curves around the deep flexor muscles of the foot and toes. The muscle tapers low, just above the ankle, and its tendon continues on inserting in the middle part of the calcaneum. The tendon of the soleus, combined with the gastrocnemius, is best known as the achillis tendon. The soleus is innervated by the tibial nerve and supplied by the tibial artery. This muscle is used to point the foot or raise the heel, which lifts the body. Its continuous contraction of the soleus prevents the body from falling forward when standing.
Research Soleus
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The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
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