Dorsal Interossei Pedis

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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:

1. 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.
2. The dorsal interossei pedis muscles are considered to be Plantar Layer muscles, but they are superficial on the dorsal side of the foot.
3. There is a mnemonic for remembering the abductors/adductors of the toes: DAB PAD – Dorsals ABduct Plantars ADduct.