Origin: Medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity, the central part of the plantar aponeurosis, intermuscular septum
Insertion: By four tendons, each attaching to the medial and lateral borders and plantar surface of the middle phalanx of each of the four lateral toes
Actions: Flexion of the four small toes, supports the longitudinal arch
Innervation: Medial plantar nerve (S1, S2, S3)
Blood Supply: Medial and lateral plantar arteries and plantar arch, plantar metatarsal and plantar digital arteries
If you are looking for pain and symptoms information, please visit the Flexor digitorum brevis pain page
Primary Actions of the Flexor Digitorum Brevis Muscle
1. Flexion of the four lateral toes at the proximal interphalangeal joints
Agonists: Extensor Digitorum Longus
Antagonists: Extensor Digitorum Brevis
2. Flexion of the four lateral toes at the metatarsophalangeal joints
Agonists: Flexor Digitorum Longus
Antagonists:
- Extensor Digitorum Longus
- Extensor Digitorum Brevis
Lumbricals, dorsal interossei (second, third, and fourth digits), and plantar interossei (third, fourth, and fifth digits) assist with flexion of the four lateral toes at the metatarsophalangeal joints.
3. Supports the medial longitudinal arch of the foot
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References:
Clay, J. H., Allen, L., Pounds, D. (2015). Clay & Pounds' Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Netter, F. (2014). Atlas of Human Anatomy (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
Muscolino, J., (2016) Kinesiology: The Skeletal System and Muscle Function (3rd ed.). Maryland Heights, Missouri: Mosby.
Image Credits: Dreamstime
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