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The Dorsal Interossei Pedis are intrinsic muscles of the foot located in Plantar Layer IV. The muscles located in Plantar Layer IV are:
- Plantar interossei
- Dorsal interossei pedis
There are four Dorsal Interossei Pedis muscles, named #1, #2, and #3, from medial (big-toe side) to lateral (little-toe side).
ATTACHMENTS:
- The dorsal interossei pedis attach from metatarsals #1-5 to the proximal phalanges of toes #2-4 on the side that is away from the “second-toe side.”
- Dorsal interosseus pedis #1 attaches onto the medial side of toe #2.
- Dorsal interosseus pedis #2 attaches onto the lateral side of toe #2.
- Dorsal interosseus pedis #3 attaches onto the lateral side of toe #3.
- Dorsal interosseus pedis #4 attaches onto the lateral side of toe #4.
- The dorsal interossei pedis also attach distally into the dorsal digital expansion.
ACTIONS:
- Abducts toes #2-4 at the metatarsophalangeal joints.
- Flexes toes #2-4 at the metatarsophalangeal joints.
- Extends toes #2-4 at the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints.
NOTES:
- Because the dorsal interossei pedis attach onto their respective toes on the side that is away from the “second-toe side,” they bring those toes away from the reference line for abduction/adduction of the toes, which is an imaginary line through the center of the second toe when the second toe is in anatomic position; this is defined as abduction.
- The dorsal interossei pedis muscles are considered to be Plantar Layer muscles, but they are superficial on the dorsal side of the foot.
- There is a mnemonic for remembering the abductors/adductors of the toes: DAB PAD – Dorsals ABduct Plantars ADduct.