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Abductor digiti minimi on the ...
Other Terms:
Abductor digiti minimi
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus abductor digiti minimi (pes)
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Foot muscle – plantar group – first layer
Etymology
In English, this muscle’s name is the muscle that leads the smallest toe away (from the other toes). Abductor is a term that describes the function or action of the muscle. It literally means to draw or to lead away from and is derived from the Latin ab meaning “away from” and ducere meaning “to lead or to draw.” The term digiti is from the Latin digitus, which originally meant the “pointing thing,” a term that is similar to the Sanskrit word “dic” meaning to show or point out. Because we point with our fingers the term was applied to the fingers and then the toes. The term minimus is Latin for “least or smallest.” Its use in this instance is in reference to the fact that the muscle attaches to the smallest finger of the hand.
Origin
Lateral and plantar surfaces of the calcaneal tuberosity and the plantar aponeurosis.
Insertion
Lateral side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the little toe.
Action
Flexor of the metatarso-phalangeal joint of the little toe, weak abductor of the little toe; important role in deepening the longitudinal plantar arch when pushing off the ground with the toes (as in walking).
Nerve supply
Lateral plantar nerve (S1, S2, and S3)
Blood supply
The medial and lateral plantar artery supply the muscle belly. The plantar digital artery and fourth plantar metatarsal artery supply the tendon.
