Dorsal muscles of the foot (Latin)

The mm. dorsales pedis are composed of two muscles: the m. brevis hallucis and m. brevis digitorum. Both muscles originate from the superolateral surface of the calcaneus and extend distally across the dorsum of the foot (dorsum pedis), lateral to the tendons of their ‘longus’ counterparts. The mm. interossei dorsales are part of the stratum quartum of the mm. plantares pedis, but are best viewed from this dorsal perspective. They are located between the ossa metatarsi and consist of four bipennate muscles which arise from opposing surfaces of adjacent bones. The first (most medial) m. interosseus dorsalis inserts into the medial aspect of the base of the phalanx proximalis of the second toe, while the lateral three muscles insert into the lateral aspect of the bases of the phalanges proximales digitorum 2-4.