Dissection of plantar aspect of left foot

Nerve supply to quadratus plantae, flexor digiti minimi brevis and abductor digiti minimi muscles

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Image #201-4

Dissection of plantar aspect of left foot

Nerve supply to quadratus plantae, flexor digiti minimi brevis and abductor digiti minimi muscles

The abductor digiti minimi has been cut off near its calcaneal origin. Branches of the lateral plantar nerve that enter the posterior part of the muscle have been preserved. The quadratus plantae (14) has been dissected to expose its general structural arrangement and its nerve supply.

1. Metatarsal bone
2. Flexor hallucis brevis muscle
3. Flexor hallucis longus muscle (tendon)
4. Flexor digitorum longus muscle (tendons)
5. Branches of medial plantar nerve to quadratus plantae muscle
6. Tuberosity of navicular bone
7. Synovial sheath
8. Medial plantar nerve (cut off)
9. Tibialis posterior muscle (tendon of insertion)
10. Position of sustentaculum tali
11. Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle
12. Branch of lateral plantar nerve to flexor digiti minimi brevis
13. Deep branch lateral plantar nerve
14. Quadratus plantae muscle
15. Branch of lateral plantar nerve to abductor digiti minimi muscle
16. Abductor digiti minimi muscle (cut and reflected)
17. Plantar aponeurosis (cut at tuberosity of calcaneus)
18. Lateral plantar artery
19. Medial plantar artery