Small toe musculature
In the area of the little toe there are also own muscles, which serve for the movement of the little toe. There lies, among other things, the small toe counterpart, which is also called M. opponens digiti minimi in medical terminology. After excitation by the corresponding nerve, this muscle performs a coherent movement consisting of pulling and bending the little toe.
This movement is called opposing. It also strengthens the arch of the foot. This muscle can have individual differences, so that sometimes it is even missing completely.The flexor of the small toe, the M. flexor digiti minimi, also lies in this area.
This flexor flexes the toe towards the sole of the foot. Often another muscle is fused with this muscle. This is the abductor of the small toe, the abductor digiti minimi.
It is the largest and longest muscle in this region and extends from part of the heel bone and its lower surface to the end joint of the fifth toe. It essentially forms the outer and thus lateral edge of the foot. This muscle also performs plantar flexion of the little toe.
It also supports the arch of the foot. Although one can infer this from its name, it performs a spreading movement only to a small degree.
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