I.C.2 Leg & Foot: Posterior Leg & Plantar Foot

I.C.2 Leg & Foot: Posterior Leg & Plantar Foot: Page 2 of 4

Now we will add the plantar foot muscles. These muscles are arranged in four layers. We will add them from deepest to superficial.

Step 8: Begin with the foot view.

Fourth layer:

	Step 9: Add the dorsal interossei, which abduct toes II to V.
	Step 10: Add the plantar interossei, which adduct toes III to V. In both cases they stabilize the smaller bones of the foot.

Third layer:

	Step 11: Add the flexor hallucis brevis, which helps to flex the great toe.
	Step 12: Add the adductor hallucis, which adducts the great toe.
	Step 13: Add the flexor digiti minimi brevis, which helps to flex the little toe.

Second layer:

	Step 14: Add the quadratus plantae, which helps to flex toes II to V.
	Step 15: Add the lumbricals, which flexes the smaller bones of the foot.

First layer:

	Step 16: Add the abductor hallicis, which abducts and flexes the great toe.
	Step 17: Add the flexor digitorum brevis, which flexes the lateral four toes.
	Step 18: Add the abductor digiti minimi, which abducts the little toe.

	What is the basic function of the posterior compartment and the plantar muscles of the foot?
Flexion of the foot and toes. Stabilzation of the knee and the arch of the foot.
	The tendons of all these muscles enter the plantar surface of the foot through the tarsal tunnel. What other structures follow the same path?
Tibial nerve and posterior tibial artery.

The muscles of the foot are small and complex. We have a foot model on the demonstration table to help as you study. You may want to use an additional anatomic atlas to help guide your learning process.