Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis of Foot (Musculus flexor digiti minimi brevis)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
A short muscle of the third layer of the sole sitting on the plantar surface of the fifth metatarsal, medial to the abductor digiti minimi and often fused with it. It is the true local flexor of the little-toe metatarsophalangeal joint.
Origin & insertion
From the base of the fifth metatarsal and the sheath of the peroneus (fibularis) longus tendon, to the lateral base of the proximal phalanx of the little toe.
Action
Flexes the metatarsophalangeal joint of the little toe.
Innervation
Lateral plantar nerve (S2–S3).
Clinical notes
Its frequent fusion with the abductor digiti minimi matters when the lateral sole is explored for a plantar-plate or fifth-metatarsal-head lesion. Localised tenderness deep to it may mimic a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal base.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis of Foot?
A short muscle of the third layer of the sole sitting on the plantar surface of the fifth metatarsal, medial to the abductor digiti minimi and often fused with it. It is the true local flexor of the little-toe metatarsophalangeal joint.
Why is the Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis of Foot clinically important?
Its frequent fusion with the abductor digiti minimi matters when the lateral sole is explored for a plantar-plate or fifth-metatarsal-head lesion. Localised tenderness deep to it may mimic a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal base.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details