Lateral Plantar Nerve

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Roots

Pathway

Branches

Motor innervation

Lateral Plantar n. Muscle Innervations
Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Abductor digiti minimi	Medial tubercle of calcaneal tuberosity¹ Cuboid¹ Lateral cuneiforms¹ 3-5th MTP joints¹ Deep transverse metatarsal lig.¹ [Medial tubercle of calcaneal tuberosity](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/abductor_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Cuboid](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Lateral cuneiforms](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [3-5th MTP joints](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Deep transverse metatarsal lig.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Base of 5th proximal phalanx¹ Base of 1st proximal phalanx (via common tendon)¹ [Base of 5th proximal phalanx](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/abductor_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Base of 1st proximal phalanx (via common tendon)](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Lateral Plantar n.¹ Lateral Plantar n. (Deep branch)¹ S1 - S3¹ [Lateral Plantar n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/abductor_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Lateral Plantar n. (Deep branch)](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [S1](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/abductor_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#nerve) - [S3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	1st MTP [Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Adduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] 5th Toe [MTP Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/abductor_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] Arch Support [Transverse head supports transverse arch](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Oblique head supports longitudinal arch](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/adductor_hallucis.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Dorsal interossei (4 muscles)	1-5 metatarsals (two heads on opposing sides)¹ [1-5 metatarsals (two heads on opposing sides)](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Medial aspect of 2nd proximal phalanx base¹ Lateral aspect of 2nd-4th proximal phalanx bases¹ 2-4 Toes at Dorsal aponeurosis¹ [Medial aspect of 2nd proximal phalanx base](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Lateral aspect of 2nd-4th proximal phalanx bases](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [2-4 Toes at Dorsal aponeurosis](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Lateral plantar n.¹ S2 - S3¹ [Lateral plantar n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [S2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#nerve) - [S3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	2nd-4th Toes [MTP Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [MTP 3-4 abduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#action) NA [PIP Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [DIP Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/dorsal_interossei.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Flexor digiti minimi brevis (foot)	Base of 5th Metatarsal¹ Long plantar lig.¹ [Base of 5th Metatarsal](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_digiti_minimi_brevis_foot.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Long plantar lig.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_digiti_minimi_brevis_foot.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Base of 5th proximal phalanx¹ [Base of 5th proximal phalanx](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_digiti_minimi_brevis_foot.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Lateral Plantar n. (superficial branch)¹ S2 - S3¹ [Lateral Plantar n. (superficial branch)](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_digiti_minimi_brevis_foot.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [S2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_digiti_minimi_brevis_foot.qmd#nerve) - [S3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_digiti_minimi_brevis_foot.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	5th MTP Flexion¹ [5th MTP Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_digiti_minimi_brevis_foot.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Flexor hallucis brevis	Cuboid¹ Lateral cuneiforms¹ Plantar calcaneocuboid lig.¹ [Cuboid](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Lateral cuneiforms](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Plantar calcaneocuboid lig.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Medial Sesamoid bone¹ Lateral Sesamoid bone¹ [Medial Sesamoid bone](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Lateral Sesamoid bone](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Lateral Plantar n.¹ Medial Plantar n.¹ S1 - S2¹ [Lateral Plantar n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Medial Plantar n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [S1](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#nerve) - [S2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	MTP Flexion¹ Supports Longitudinal Arch¹ [MTP Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Supports Longitudinal Arch](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/flexor_hallucis_brevis.html#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Lumbricals (Foot)	FDL tendons (medial borders)¹ [FDL tendons (medial borders)](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/foot_lumbricals.html#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	2-5th toes at dorsal aponeurosis¹ [2-5th toes at dorsal aponeurosis](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/foot_lumbricals.html#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Medial Plantar n.¹ Lateral Plantar n.¹ S2 - S3¹ [Medial Plantar n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/foot_lumbricals.html#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Lateral Plantar n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/foot_lumbricals.html#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [S2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/foot_lumbricals.html#nerve) - [S3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/foot_lumbricals.html#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	2nd-5th Toes [MTP Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/foot_lumbricals.html#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [PIP Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/foot_lumbricals.html#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [DIP Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/foot_lumbricals.html#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Opponens digiti minimi	Long plantar lig.¹ Fibularis longus plantar tendon sheath¹ [Long plantar lig.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/opponens_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [Fibularis longus plantar tendon sheath](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/opponens_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	5th metatarsal¹ [5th metatarsal](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/opponens_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Lateral Plantar n. (superficial branch)¹ S2 - S3¹ [Lateral Plantar n. (superficial branch)](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/opponens_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [S2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/opponens_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#nerve) - [S3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/opponens_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Pulls 5th metatarsal in plantar and medial direction¹ [Pulls 5th metatarsal in plantar and medial direction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/opponens_digiti_minimi_foot.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Plantar interossei (3 muscles)	Medial border of 3rd-5th metatarsals¹ [Medial border of 3rd-5th metatarsals](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/plantar_interossei.qmd#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Medial aspect of 3rd-5th proximal phalanx¹ [Medial aspect of 3rd-5th proximal phalanx](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/plantar_interossei.qmd#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Lateral plantar n.¹ S2 - S3¹ [Lateral plantar n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/plantar_interossei.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [S2](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/plantar_interossei.qmd#nerve) - [S3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/plantar_interossei.qmd#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	3rd-5th Toes [MTP Flexion](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/plantar_interossei.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [MTP Adduction](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/plantar_interossei.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [PIP Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/plantar_interossei.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [DIP Extension](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/plantar_interossei.qmd#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]
Quadratus plantae	Calcaneal tuberosity (medial and plantar borders)¹ [Calcaneal tuberosity (medial and plantar borders)](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/quadratus_plantae.html#origin) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Tendons of FDL (lateral borders)¹ [Tendons of FDL (lateral borders)](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/quadratus_plantae.html#insertion) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Lateral Plantar n.¹ S1 - S3¹ [Lateral Plantar n.](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/quadratus_plantae.html#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020] [S1](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/quadratus_plantae.html#nerve) - [S3](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/quadratus_plantae.html#nerve) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]	Redirects and augments pull of the FDL¹ [Redirects and augments pull of the FDL](/The Archive/Anatomy/Skeletal Muscles/Lower limb muscles/Ankle and Foot/Intrinsic Dorsal Foot Muscles/quadratus_plantae.html#action) [@gilroyAtlasAnatomy2020]

Flexor hallucis brevis (lateral head)¹
Quadratus plantae¹
Abductor digiti minimi¹
Flexor digiti minimi brevis¹
Opponens digiti minimi¹
2nd to 4th lumbricals¹
1st to 3rd plantar interossei¹
1st to 4th dorsal interossei¹
Adductor hallucis¹

Cutaneous Innervation

Proper plantar digital nn.¹

Dysfunction

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

Citation

For attribution, please cite this work as:

Yomogida N, Kerstein C. Lateral Plantar Nerve. https://yomokerst.com/The Archive/Anatomy/Nerves/Lumbosacral Plexus/Sacral Plexus/Tibial Nerve Branches/lateral_plantar_nerve.html