Lateral border of foot

The outer edge of the foot, known as the lateral border of foot, stretches from the heel to the little toe.

The bones comprising the lateral border include the calcaneum, cuboid, the fifth metatarsal, and the phalanges of the little toe. When viewed from the side, these bones align in an arch-like fashion, forming the lateral portion of the longitudinal arch of the foot.

The abductor digiti minimi, an intrinsic muscle, constitutes the muscular component of the lateral margin.

Visible along the lateral border are two significant tendons associated with the peroneus longus and brevis muscles. These tendons pass behind the lateral malleolus. The peroneus brevis inserts into the base of the fifth metatarsal bone within the lateral border of foot, while, the peroneus longus crosses over the lateral border and enters the sole. It then runs medially, ultimately inserting into the bones along the medial border of the foot. The peroneus longus, with its sling-like action, helps maintain the highest point of the lateral part of the longitudinal arch of the foot and supports the proximal transverse arch.

Prominent cutaneous vessels and nerves along the lateral border of foot include the sural nerve and the small saphenous vein.