muscles of the foot (layers of plantar muscles)

Introduction

4 muscular layers in the sole of the foot. These muscles help to:

• maintain the arches of the foot
• enable one to stand on uneven ground

1st layer:

• abductor hallucis
• flexor digitorum brevis
• abductor digiti minimi pedis

2nd layer:

• quadratus plantae (flexor accessorius)
• tendons of flexor hallucis longus & flexor digitorum longus
• lumbricalis pedis

3rd layer:

• flexor hallucis brevis
• adductor hallucis
• flexor digiti minimi brevis pedis

4th layer:

• plantar interosseous
• dorsal interosseous pedis

Additional terms

• foot
• nerves of the foot
• skeletal muscle (voluntary muscle)