Abductor Digiti Minimi Flashcards

Review the plantar abductor digiti minimi muscle, including its attachments, nerve supply, actions, and anatomical relationships.

Card 1 of 25Question

In which region of the foot is the abductor digiti minimi located?

The lateral aspect of the plantar foot.

In This Section

1. In which region of the foot is the abductor digiti minimi located?

The lateral aspect of the plantar foot.

2. Which layer of plantar foot muscles contains the abductor digiti minimi?

The first, most superficial plantar muscle layer.

3. Is the abductor digiti minimi an intrinsic or extrinsic foot muscle?

An intrinsic foot muscle.

4. What is the primary bony origin of the abductor digiti minimi?

The medial and lateral processes of the calcaneal tuberosity.

5. Which connective tissue structure contributes to the origin of the abductor digiti minimi?

The plantar aponeurosis.

6. Where does the abductor digiti minimi insert?

The lateral side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the fifth toe.

7. Which toe is directly acted upon by the abductor digiti minimi?

The fifth toe, also called the little toe.

8. What is the primary action of the abductor digiti minimi?

Abduction of the fifth toe away from the second toe.

9. What additional movement does the abductor digiti minimi assist?

Flexion of the fifth toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint.

10. Which nerve innervates the abductor digiti minimi?

The lateral plantar nerve.

11. Which spinal nerve roots contribute to the motor innervation of the abductor digiti minimi?

Primarily S2 and S3.

12. The lateral plantar nerve supplying the abductor digiti minimi is a branch of which nerve?

The tibial nerve.

13. Which artery primarily supplies the abductor digiti minimi?

The lateral plantar artery.

14. Which major artery gives rise to the lateral plantar artery?

The posterior tibial artery.

15. Which veins primarily drain the region of the abductor digiti minimi?

Plantar veins accompanying the lateral plantar artery.

16. Which two other muscles share the first plantar muscle layer with the abductor digiti minimi?

Abductor hallucis and flexor digitorum brevis.

17. What is the position of the abductor digiti minimi relative to the flexor digitorum brevis?

Lateral to the flexor digitorum brevis.

18. Which fascial structure lies superficial to the abductor digiti minimi?

The plantar fascia and its lateral fascial components.

19. Which plantar compartment contains the abductor digiti minimi?

The lateral plantar compartment.

20. Which longitudinal arch does the abductor digiti minimi help support?

The lateral longitudinal arch of the foot.

21. What is the general direction of the abductor digiti minimi muscle fibers?

From the calcaneus forward along the lateral plantar border toward the fifth toe.

22. Which muscle lies deep to the distal portion of the abductor digiti minimi near the fifth metatarsal?

Flexor digiti minimi brevis.

23. Which nerve may be compressed near the deep surface of the abductor digiti minimi in heel pain syndromes?

The inferior calcaneal nerve, also called Baxter's nerve.

24. What muscle change may occur with chronic denervation of the abductor digiti minimi?

Muscle atrophy with fatty replacement.

25. Which imaging modality can demonstrate fatty atrophy of the abductor digiti minimi associated with chronic nerve injury?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).