Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis – Anatomy, Nerve Supply, Function

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 3 min read
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The Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis (Flexor brevis minimi digiti, Flexor digiti quinti brevis) lies under the metatarsal bone on the little toe, and resembles one of the Interossei. It arises from the base of the fifth metatarsal bone, and from the sheath of the Fibularis longus; its tendon is inserted into the lateral...

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

The Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis (Flexor brevis minimi digiti, Flexor digiti quinti brevis) lies under the metatarsal bone on the little toe, and resembles one of the Interossei. It arises from the base of the fifth metatarsal bone, and from the sheath of the Fibularis longus; its tendon is inserted into the lateral side of the base of the first phalanx of the fifth toe. Occasionally a few of the deeper fibers are inserted...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Origin and Insertion of Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Nerve Supply of Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Blood supply in simple medical language.
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Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

  • Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
  • New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
  • Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.
1

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

2

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

3

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

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Definition

The Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis (Flexor brevis minimi digiti, Flexor digiti quinti brevis) lies under the metatarsal bone on the little toe, and resembles one of the Interossei.

It arises from the base of the fifth metatarsal bone, and from the sheath of the Fibularis longus; its tendon is inserted into the lateral side of the base of the first phalanx of the fifth toe. Occasionally a few of the deeper fibers are inserted into the lateral part of the distal half of the fifth metatarsal bone; these are described by some as a distinct muscle, the opponens digiti quinti.

Flexor digiti mini brevis is a small muscle found in the sole of the foot. As the plantar muscles of the foot can be classified into three groups (medial to lateral) or four layers (from superficial to deep), this muscle can be described as;

  • One of the lateral plantar muscles, together with the abductor digiti minimi and opponens digiti minimi.
  • A part of the muscles of the third layer, along with the flexor hallucis brevis and adductor hallucis.

Flexor digiti mini brevis is one of the muscles responsible for flexing the toes. Other muscles in this category include flexor digitorum longus, flexor accessorius (quadratus plantae), flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis brevis, dorsal and plantar interossei and lumbricals.

Now you may be wondering how is it that there is a flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle in the foot.  This phenomenon originates from the homology between the certain muscles of the hand and foot, defined by their common pattern of attachments and functions.

Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis

  • Origin: Base of the fifth metatarsal
  • Insertion: Proximal phalanx of the fifth metatarsal
  • Action: The primary action is to flex the fifth digit
  • Blood Supply: Lateral Plantar artery
  • Innervation: Lateral plantar nerve

Origin and Insertion of Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis

Flexor digiti minimi brevis arises from two sites:

  • Medial aspect of the plantar surface of base of 5th metatarsal bone
  • Tendon sheath of fibularis longus muscle

The muscle courses over the plantar surface of 5th metatarsal before tapering into its tendon. The tendon, which blends with the tendon of abductor digiti minimi, inserts to the lateral surface of the base of proximal phalanx of 5th toe.

Nerve Supply of Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis

Like all the lateral foot muscles, flexor digiti minimi brevis is innervated by the lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3), which is a branch of the tibial nerve.

Blood supply

There are three main vessels that supply flexor digiti minimi brevis.

  • Anterior tibial artery, via its two branches; arcuate and lateral tarsal arteries
  • Posterior tibial artery, via a lateral plantar artery

Functions

Flexor digiti minimi brevis causes flexion across the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint. By doing this, the muscle provides structural support to maintain the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot, which is important for weight-bearing during periods of long-standing.

References

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What to tell the doctor

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Tests to discuss

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Safe first steps

  • Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
  • Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
  • Seek medical care quickly if symptoms are severe, worsening, or unusual for the patient.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
  • Do not combine multiple pain medicines without advice, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcer, asthma, pregnancy, or take blood thinners.
  • Do not give adult medicines to children unless a qualified clinician advises it.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Severe symptoms, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, or sudden weakness need urgent medical care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

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Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
  • Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

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Care roadmap for: Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis – Anatomy, Nerve Supply, Function

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

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