Skip to Search
Skip to Navigation
Skip to Content

University of Connecticut School of Medicine Human Anatomy Module

Learn: Foot

Bones of Foot

LAYER 1

This card has been intentionally left blank.

     Abductor digiti minimi muscle

Origin Lateral and medial processes of calcaneal tuberosity, and band of connective tissue that connects calcaneus with base of metatarsal V
Insertion Lateral side of base of proximal phalanx of little toe
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve from the tibial nerve
Artery Lateral plantar artery
Action Abducts little toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint
Abductor digiti minimi muscle

     Flexor digitorum brevis muscle

Origin Medial process of calcaneal tuberosity and plantar aponeurosis
Insertion Sides of plantar surface of middle phalanges of lateral four toes
Innervation Medial plantar nerve from the tibial nerve
Artery Medial plantar artery, lateral plantar artery
Action Flexes lateral four toes at proximal interphalangeal joint
Flexor digitorum brevis muscle

     Abductor hallucis muscle

Origin Medial process of calcaneal tuberosity
Insertion Medial side of base of proximal phalanx of great toe
Innervation Medial plantar nerve from the tibial nerve
Artery Medial plantar artery
Action Abducts and flexes great toe at metatarsophalangeal joint
Abductor hallucis muscle

LAYER 2

This card has been intentionally left blank.

     Lumbricals

Origin Tendons of flexor digitorum longus
Insertion Medial free margins of extensor hoods of toes II to V
Innervation First lumbrical-medial plantar nerve from the tibial nerve; second, third, and fourth lumbricals-lateral plantar nerve from the tibial nerve
Artery Medial plantar artery, lateral plantar artery
Action Flexion of metatarsophalangeal joint and extension of interphalangeal joints
Lumbricals

     Quadratus plantae muscle

Origin Medial surface of calcaneus and lateral process of calcaneal tuberosity
Insertion Lateral side of tendon of flexor digitorum longus in proximal sole of the foot
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve from tibial nerve
Artery Lateral plantar artery
Action Assists flexor digitorum longus tendon in flexing toes II to V
Quadratus plantae muscle

LAYER 3

This card has been intentionally left blank.

     Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle

Origin Base of metatarsal V
Insertion Lateral side of base of proximal phalanx of little toe
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve
Artery Lateral plantar artery
Action Flexes little toe at metatarsophalangeal joint
Fibularis brevis muscle

     Flexor hallucis brevis muscle

Origin Plantar surface of cuboid and lateral cuneiform; tendon of tibialis posterior
Insertion Lateral and medial sides of base of proximal phalanx of the great toe
Innervation Medial plantar nerve
Artery Medial plantar artery
Action Flexes metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe
Fibularis brevis muscle

     Adductor hallucis muscle

Origin Transverse head: metatarsophalangeal joints of lateral three toes; oblique head: bases of metatarsals 2-4
Insertion Lateral side of base of proximal phalanx of great toe
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve
Artery Medial and lateral plantar arteries, plantar arch
Action Adducts great toe at metatarsophalangeal joint
Adductor hallucis muscle

LAYER 4

This card has been intentionally left blank.

     Plantar interossei muscles

Origin Medial sides of metatarsals of toes III to V
Insertion Extensor hoods and bases of proximal phalanges of toes III to V
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve
Artery Plantar metatarsal arteries
Action Adduct digits 3 to 5 and flex metatarsophalangeal joints
Plantar interossei

     Dorsal interossei muscles

Origin Sides of adjacent metatarsals
Insertion Extensor hoods and bases of proximal phalanges of toes II to IV
Innervation Lateral plantar nerve; deep fibular nerve (first and second dorsal interossei)
Artery Dorsal metatarsal arteries
Action Abduct digits 2-4 and flex metatarsophalangeal joints
Dorsal interossei

DORSUM OF FOOT

This card has been intentionally left blank.

     Extensor digitorum brevis muscle

Origin Calcaneus, interosseous talocalcaneal ligament
Insertion Long extensor tendons of digits 2-5
Innervation Deep fibular nerve
Artery Dorsalis pedis artery
Action Helps extensor digitorum longus extend digits 2-5 at metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints
Extensor digitorum brevis muscle

     Extensor hallucis brevis muscle

Origin Calcaneus, interosseous talocalcaneal ligament
Insertion Dorsal aspect of base of proximal phalanx of great toe
Innervation Deep fibular nerve
Artery Dorsalis pedis artery
Action Helps extensor hallucis longus extend the great toe at metatarsophalangeal joint

Nerves and Arteries

  • Nerves
    • Tibial nerve divides into medial planter nerve and lateral plantar nerve after passing under the medial malleolus through the tarsal tunnel to enter the foot
      • Medial plantar nerve
        • Motor to flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis muscles, abductor hallucis, and first lumbrical
        • Sensory to medial plantar surface of foot
      • Lateral plantar nerve
        • Motor to flexor digiti minimi brevis, abductor digiti minimi muscles, lumbricals 2-4, plantar interossei, dorsal interossei, adductor hallucis, and quadratus plantae
        • Sensory to lateral plantar surface of foot
  • Arteries
    • Anterior tibial artery becomes dorsalis pedis artery after it crosses the anterior ankle
    • Posterior tibial artery divides into medial plantar artery and lateral plantar artery
      • Medial plantar artery
      • Lateral plantar artery
        • Gives rise to deep plantar arch
a)
Foot dorsum		 b)
Foot sole
Cutaneous innervation of (a) dorsal and (b) plantar surfaces of foot.

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player