Intrinsic muscles
/ɪntɹɪnsɪk/ /mʌsʌlz/
1. [noun] the intrinsic muscles are located within the foot and are responsible for the fine motor actions of the foot, for example movement of individual digits. They can be divided into those situated on the dorsum of the foot, and those in the sole of the foot. Whilst many of the extrinsic muscles attach to the dorsum of the foot , there are only two intrinsic muscles located in this compartment – the extensor digitorum brevis, and the extensor hallucis brevis. They are mainly responsible for assisting some of the extrinsic muscles in their actions. Both muscles are innervated by the deep fibular nerve . There are 10 intrinsic muscles located in the sole of the foot. They act collectively to stabilise the arches of the foot, and individually to control movement of the digits. All the muscles are innervated either by the medial plantar nerve or the lateral plantar nerve , which are both branches of the tibial nerve. See: https://teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/muscles/foot/ ; Accessed June 28 2019. For an informative video see: http://anatomyzone.com/tutorials/musculoskeletal/intrinsic-muscles-of-the-foot/ ; Accessed June 28 2019
Source: https://teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/muscles/foot/
Frequently Asked Questions
How do intrinsic muscles differ from extrinsic muscles in controlling foot movements?
Intrinsic muscles, located entirely within the foot, allow for fine control of individual toe movements, while extrinsic muscles originate outside the foot and drive more powerful, larger-scale movements.
How do the intrinsic muscles help maintain the stability of the foot’s arches during daily activities?
Intrinsic muscles, especially those in the sole, function to stabilize the arches of the foot. They carefully adjust toe positions during walking and standing, ensuring better balance and even distribution of pressure.
Why are there only two intrinsic muscles on the dorsum compared to more on the sole of the foot?
The dorsum of the foot houses only the extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallucis brevis, which assist in digit movements. In contrast, the sole contains ten intrinsic muscles primarily dedicated to stabilizing arches and fine digit control.