Dorsal interossei of the foot


 * For the muscles of the hand, see Dorsal interossei muscles (hand)

Overview
The dorsal interossei, four in number, are situated between the metatarsal bones.

They are bipenniform muscles, each arising by two heads from the adjacent sides of the metatarsal bones between which it is placed; their tendons are inserted into the bases of the first phalanges, and into the aponeurosis of the tendons of the Extensor digitorum longus.

In the angular interval left between the heads of each of the three lateral muscles, one of the perforating arteries passes to the dorsum of the foot; through the space between the heads of the first muscle the deep plantar branch of the dorsalis pedis artery enters the sole of the foot.

The first is inserted into the medial side of the second toe; the other three are inserted into the lateral sides of the second, third, and fourth toes.