Flexor hallucis brevis muscle

Flexor hallucis brevis muscle
Muscles of the sole of the foot. Third layer. (Flexor hallucis brevis visible at left.)
Latin musculus flexor hallucis brevis
Gray's subject #131 493
Origin plantar surface of cuneiform bones
Insertion    medial and lateral sesamoid bones of first metatarsal
Artery
Nerve medial plantar nerve
Actions flex hallux
Antagonist Extensor hallucis longus muscle

The Flexor hallucis brevis arises, by a pointed tendinous process, from the medial part of the under surface of the cuboid bone, from the contiguous portion of the third cuneiform, and from the prolongation of the tendon of the Tibialis posterior which is attached to that bone.

It divides in front into two portions, which are inserted into the medial and lateral sides of the base of the first phalanx of the great toe, a sesamoid bone being present in each tendon at its insertion.

The medial portion is blended with the Abductor hallucis previous to its insertion; the lateral portion with the Adductor hallucis; the tendon of the Flexor hallucis longus lies in a groove between them; the lateral portion is sometimes described as the first Interosseous plantaris.

Contents

Innervation

Flexor hallucis brevis is innervated by the medial plantar nerve.

Variations

Origin subject to considerable variation; it often receives fibers from the calcaneus or long plantar ligament. Attachment to the cuboid sometimes wanting. Slip to first phalanx of the second toe.

Additional images

External links

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.