Extensor Digitorum Brevis

Joe Muscolino

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The extensor digitorum brevis is seen. The extensor hallucis brevis has been ghosted in.

The Extensor Digitorum Brevis is an intrinsic muscle of the foot located on the dorsal side. The muscles located on the dorsal side of the foot are:

  • Extensor digitorum brevis
  • Extensor hallucis brevis
  • (the dorsal interossei pedis are located superficially on the dorsal side, but are technically Plantar Layer IV muscles)

 

ATTACHMENTS:

  • Dorsal surface of the calcaneus to toes #2-4.
    • The distal attachments are onto the lateral sides of the distal tendons of the extensor digitorum longus via the dorsal digital expansion into the middle and distal phalanges of toes #2-4.

 

ACTIONS:

  • Extends toes #2-4 at the metatarsophalangeal and proximal and distal interphalangeal joints.

 

NOTE: The extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallucis brevis are actually one muscle structurally, but they have been separated into two muscles for naming purposes. The term hallucis refers to the big toe; the term digit refers to toes 2-5.