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# Adductor hallucis

The adductor hallucis is a deep sole muscle with two heads; it pulls the big toe toward the other toes.

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## What it is

A deep muscle of the sole with two heads: one runs at an angle, the other across the ball of the foot.

## What it does

Pulls the big toe toward the other toes and helps support the cross arch.

## Key points

- Third layer of the sole, with oblique and transverse heads, supplied by the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve
- A main deforming force in hallux valgus; releasing it from the lateral sesamoid and proximal phalanx is part of many bunion operations
- Its transverse head ties the lateral metatarsal heads to the [big toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/great-toe/) across the transverse arch

## Key facts

**Origin**
Oblique head: bases of metatarsals 2–4; transverse head: plantar ligaments of MTP joints 3–5

**Insertion**
Lateral base of proximal phalanx of big toe (via lateral sesamoid)

**Action**
Adducts big toe; helps maintain transverse arch

**Nerve**
Lateral plantar nerve, deep branch (S2–S3)

**Blood supply**
Lateral plantar artery; plantar arch and plantar metatarsal arteries

## Relations

**Superficial**
Long flexor tendons, lumbricals and [flexor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-brevis/)

**Deep**
Interossei and metatarsals; the deep plantar arch and the deep branch of the [lateral plantar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-plantar-nerve/) run between it and the interossei

**Medial**
Lateral head of [flexor hallucis brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-hallucis-brevis/) and the lateral sesamoid

## How to find it

It cannot be felt. In dissection it appears after the first two layers of the sole are removed; in surgery its insertion is reached through the first web space or from inside the big-toe joint.

## On imaging

Not seen as such on radiographs, but its pull shows in hallux valgus. On weight-bearing dorsoplantar views the hallux valgus and intermetatarsal angles are measured and the [sesamoids](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sesamoid-bones-of-foot/) are seen drifting lateral to the [first metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/first/) head. MRI shows its oblique and transverse heads deep in the sole when a plantar mass or injury is assessed.

## 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

- Lateral soft-tissue release of its tendon frees the sesamoids during hallux valgus correction
- Lateral plantar nerve lesions weaken it along with most other small muscles of the sole, contributing to clawing

## Memory aid

The foot mirrors the hand: like [adductor pollicis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/adductor-pollicis/), it has oblique and transverse heads and is supplied by the deep branch of the foot's ulnar-like nerve, the lateral plantar.

## Related conditions

- [Hallux valgus (bunion)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hallux-valgus/)

## Test yourself

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

## What are the two heads of the adductor hallucis, and which nerve supplies it?

Oblique (bases of metatarsals 2–4) and transverse (plantar ligaments of MTP joints 3–5); deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve.

## What role does the adductor hallucis play in hallux valgus?

It is a main deforming force; releasing it from the lateral sesamoid and proximal phalanx is part of many bunion operations.

## Which hand muscle does the adductor hallucis mirror?

The adductor pollicis: both have oblique and transverse heads and are supplied by the deep branch of the ulnar-like nerve (here, the lateral plantar).

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

## Its names

**Official Latin (TA2)**
adductor hallucis TA2 2676

**Official Spanish (DeCS)**
Músculo aductor del dedo gordo

**English (TA2)**
Adductor hallucis

**Also called**
adductor hallucis muscle

## Related

- [Flexor hallucis brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-hallucis-brevis/)
- [Lateral plantar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-plantar-nerve/)
- [Plantar arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-plantar-artery/)
- [Cuboid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cuboid-bone/)
- [Lateral cuneiform](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-cuneiform-bone/)
- [First metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/first/)
- [Second metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/second/)
- [Third metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/third/)

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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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/adductor-hallucis/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/adductor-hallucis/