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# Abductor digiti minimi

The abductor digiti minimi runs along the outer edge of the sole; it moves the [little toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/little-toe/) outward and supports the outer arch.

Official name: Abductor digiti minimi of foot

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## What it is

A muscle along the outer edge of the sole, from the heel bone to the little toe.

## What it does

Moves the little toe outward and helps support the outer arch.

## Key points

- Most lateral muscle of the first layer of the sole; supplied by the [lateral plantar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-plantar-nerve/)
- Baxter's nerve (inferior calcaneal nerve) ends in it; isolated fatty atrophy of this muscle on MRI is the clue to that nerve's entrapment
- Forms the soft outer border of the sole, along the lateral band of the plantar fascia

## Key facts

**Origin**
Medial and lateral processes of calcaneal tuberosity; plantar fascia; intermuscular septum

**Insertion**
Lateral base of proximal phalanx of fifth toe

**Action**
Abducts and flexes fifth toe; supports lateral longitudinal arch

**Nerve**
Lateral plantar nerve (S2–S3)

**Blood supply**
Lateral plantar artery

## Relations

**Medial**
[Flexor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-brevis/)

**Deep**
Flexor digiti minimi brevis, the lateral head of [quadratus plantae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/quadratus-plantae-muscle/), the [long plantar ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/long-plantar-ligament/) and the [fibularis longus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-fibularis-longus/) in the groove of the [cuboid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cuboid-bone/)

**Superficial**
Lateral band of the [plantar fascia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/plantar-aponeurosis/) and the [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) of the lateral sole

**Lateral**
Tuberosity of the [fifth metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fifth/), which projects at its outer edge

## How to find it

It forms the rounded, soft roll along the outer border of the sole from the heel to the little toe; the fifth metatarsal tuberosity is felt at its outer edge about halfway along the foot.

## Examination

- Little-toe abduction against resistance: weakness or visible wasting along the lateral border of the sole, compared with the other foot, supports a lesion of the lateral plantar nerve or its first branch

## On imaging

On MRI, fatty replacement of abductor digiti minimi with normal neighbouring muscles points to Baxter's nerve entrapment in a person with chronic heel pain.

## Common problems

- Like the other small muscles of the foot, it can weaken with age, nerve problems or tight shoes, which can let the arch drop or the toes change shape.

## Clinical notes

- Baxter's nerve entrapment can be the cause of heel pain labelled as plantar fasciitis, and may coexist with it
- Can be used as a small local muscle flap for defects of the lateral heel and ankle
- Its tendon and belly lie next to the fifth metatarsal head, so they are met in lateral approaches for a tailor's bunion (bunionette)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What are the origin, insertion and nerve supply of the abductor digiti minimi of the foot?

Medial and lateral processes of the calcaneal tuberosity, to the lateral base of the fifth toe's proximal phalanx; lateral plantar nerve.

## Which nerve ends in the abductor digiti minimi, and what MRI clue suggests its entrapment?

Baxter's nerve (inferior calcaneal nerve); isolated fatty atrophy of the abductor digiti minimi.

## Which condition can Baxter's nerve entrapment be mislabelled as?

Plantar fasciitis; it can also coexist with it.

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Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
abductor digiti minimi pedis TA2 2679

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Músculo abductor del dedo pequeño del pie

**English (TA2)**
Abductor digiti minimi of foot

**Also called**
abductor digiti minimi muscle of foot · abductor digiti quinti

## Related

- [Plantar fascia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/plantar-aponeurosis/)
- [Flexor digiti minimi](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digiti-minimi-of-foot/)
- [Lateral plantar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-plantar-nerve/)
- [Plantar arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-plantar-artery/)
- [Calcaneus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/calcaneus/)
- [Fifth metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fifth/)
- [Little toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/little-toe/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Foot Muscles](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539705/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abductor-digiti-minimi-of-foot/