Which muscle abducts the big toe?

Which muscle abducts the big toe?

• A. Abductor digiti minimi
• B. Flexor digitorum longus
• C. Abductor hallucis
• D. Adductor hallucis

Answer: (C)

Abduction of the big toe is done by a muscle on the medial sole called abductor hallucis. This muscle runs from the calcaneal tuberosity and plantar aponeurosis to the proximal phalanx of the big toe, and its action is to pull the hallux away from the midline of the foot at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. It’s innervated by the medial plantar nerve. As a quick contrast: abductor digiti minimi moves the little toe outward, adductor hallucis brings the big toe back toward the second toe, and flexor digitorum longus is a toe flexor rather than an abductor.

Abduction of the big toe is done by a muscle on the medial sole called abductor hallucis. This muscle runs from the calcaneal tuberosity and plantar aponeurosis to the proximal phalanx of the big toe, and its action is to pull the hallux away from the midline of the foot at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. It’s innervated by the medial plantar nerve.

As a quick contrast: abductor digiti minimi moves the little toe outward, adductor hallucis brings the big toe back toward the second toe, and flexor digitorum longus is a toe flexor rather than an abductor.