[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Fourth toe [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Fourth toe The fourth toe, next to the little toe, has three small bones (phalanges) and helps with balance and grip. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=toe_4&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The fourth toe, made of three small bones (phalanges). ## What it does The smaller toes help with balance and grip when you stand and walk. ## Key points - Its plantar [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) is split: the medial half from the [medial plantar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-plantar-nerve/), the lateral half from the [lateral plantar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-plantar-nerve/) - Soft corns (heloma molle) form between the fourth and fifth toes, where the bones press against each other - With a short fourth metatarsal (brachymetatarsia) the fourth toe sits back and often rides up ## Key facts **Joints with** Fourth metatarsal (MTP joint); proximal and distal interphalangeal joints **Landmarks** Three phalanges; FDL to distal, FDB to middle phalanx; extensor expansion; fourth dorsal interosseous (lateral), second plantar interosseous (medial); lumbrical ## Relations **Behind** [Fourth metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fourth/) head and the plantar plate **Medial** [Third toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/third-toe/); the third web space with its digital nerve; the second plantar interosseous **Lateral** [Little toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/little-toe/); the fourth dorsal interosseous **Above** [Extensor digitorum longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-longus/) and [extensor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-brevis/) tendons **Below** [Flexor digitorum longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-longus/) and [flexor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-brevis/) tendons; plantar [digital nerves](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/palmar-digital-nerves/) and arteries ## How to find it Its MTP joint lies just behind the web on the dorsum; a soft corn is looked for in the web between the fourth and fifth toes, where it stays moist and white. ## On imaging Dorsoplantar and oblique foot views. A short fourth metatarsal (brachymetatarsia) is obvious on the dorsoplantar view, with the toe set back. Radiographs show phalangeal fractures and the bony prominences of the facing condyles behind a soft corn between the fourth and fifth toes; the corn itself is a clinical diagnosis. Ultrasound or MRI is kept for a suspected neuroma or mass. ## Common problems - Hammer toe or claw toe: the toe bends up at the base and down at the middle joint, often with corns. - Fractures from stubbing or dropping something on the toe. ## Clinical notes - Interdigital soft corns can ulcerate and become infected, especially with diabetes - Morton neuroma symptoms reach its medial side through the third web space ## Anatomical variants - Congenital curly toe: a flexed, underlapping toe, typically one of the third to fifth toes, often on both feet ## Development Congenital curly toe, common in young children, most often affects the third and fourth toes: the toe bends and rotates to tuck under its medial neighbour, and many improve as the child grows. ## Related conditions - [Morton neuroma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/morton-neuroma/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which nerves supply the plantar skin of the fourth toe? The medial half from the medial plantar nerve, the lateral half from the lateral plantar nerve. ## Where do soft corns (heloma molle) form and why? Between the fourth and fifth toes, where the bones press against each other. ## Why does the fourth toe sit back and ride up in brachymetatarsia? Its metatarsal, the fourth, is congenitally short. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/fourth-toe/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** digitus quartus pedis; phalanges pedis TA2 174 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Cuarto dedo del pie DeCS D014034 **English (TA2)** Fourth toe **Also called** fourth digit of foot · digit 4 of foot · phalangeal bones of foot ## Related - [Fourth metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fourth/) - [Toe arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/dorsal-digital-arteries-of-foot/) - [Crural fascia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/crural-fascia/) - [Dorsal interossei](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/dorsal-interossei-muscles-of-foot/) - [Toe extensor tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendons-of-extensor-digitorum-longus/) - [Extensor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-brevis/) - [Flexor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-brevis/) - [Toe flexor tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-flexor-digitorum-longus/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=23483); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Foot and Ankle](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546698/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fourth-toe/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fourth-toe/