musculus abductor hallucis

8.6

A foot muscle that moves the big toe away from the other toes and bends it

noun
/ˈmʌskjələs æbˈdʌktər hɑˈluːsɪs/

Specialized

: músculo abductor del hallux

The musculus abductor hallucis plays a crucial role in the movement of the big toe.

Examples

Surgeons carefully avoid damaging the musculus abductor hallucis during bunion correction procedures.
In patients with flat feet, the musculus abductor hallucis may become strained.
The musculus abductor hallucis is essential for toe movement.
I strained my musculus abductor hallucis while dancing.
In patients with flat feet, the musculus abductor hallucis may become strained.
Surgeons carefully avoid damaging the musculus abductor hallucis during bunion correction procedures.
The musculus abductor hallucis plays a crucial role in the movement of the big toe.

Surface Forms

musculus abductor hallucis singular

musculi abductores hallucis plural

Morphology

musculus + abductor + hallucis

The term is a compositional anatomical name: musculus = muscle, abductor = muscle that abducts, and hallucis = ‘of the hallux/big toe’. If a learner knows these constituents (including the Latin genitive hallucis), the meaning 'muscle that abducts the big toe' is directly derivable, although the form is technical Latin.

Etymology

Musculus abductor hallucis comes from Latin: musculus 'muscle', abductor 'one that moves away', and hallucis 'of the big toe', so the name literally points to the muscle that pulls the big toe away from the other toes and helps bend it.