20. Familiar with the structure of the ankle joint: the articular surfaces, the ligaments and capsule & the movements available

Question 1

What is the name of the ankle joint?

Answer 1

The talocrural joint

Question 2

What is another name for the talocrural joint?

Answer 2

The tibiotalar joint

Question 3

What type of joint is the talocrural joint?

Answer 3

A synovial hinge joint, uniaxial

Question 4

What is a uniaxial joint?

Answer 4

Motion occurs on one plane

Question 5

Definition of a synovial hinge joint:

Answer 5

The joint between two bones that allows movement only in one plane

Question 6

Which movements does the talocrural joint allow?

Answer 6

Plantar flexion and dorsiflexion

Question 7

Dorsiflexion and plantar-flexion occur in which plane?

Answer 7

The sagittal plane

Question 8

Which 3 bones form the ankle joint?

Answer 8

Tibia
Fibula
Talus

Question 9

What is a mortise?

Answer 9

A bracket shaped socket, covered in hyaline cartilage.
It is formed from the binding of the tibia and fibula by strong tibiofibular ligaments

The body of the talus fits into the mortise formed by the tibia and fibula

Question 10

Shape of the articulating part of the talus

Answer 10

The articulating part of the talus is broad anteriorly, and narrow posteriorly

Question 11

Describe the stability of the talocrural joint during dorsiflexion and plantarflexion

Answer 11

Dorsiflexion: the anterior part of the talus is held in the mortise, and the joint is more stable

Plantarflexion: the posterior part of the talus is held in the mortise, and the joint is less stable

Question 12

Why is the talocrural joint most stable in dorsiflexion?

Answer 12

Because the anterior aspect of the talus forms a wedge between the lateral and medial malleoli

Question 13

2 main sets of ligaments of the ankle joint:

Answer 13

Medial ligaments
Lateral ligaments

Question 14

Another name for the medial ligament:

Answer 14

Deltoid ligament

Question 15

Description of the medial ligament:

Answer 15

Consists of 4 ligaments which fan out from the malleolus

Question 16

Action of the medial ligament

Answer 16

Resist over-eversion of the foot

Question 17

Names of the 4 ligaments included within the medial/deltoid ligament of the ankle:

Answer 17

Posterior tibiotalar part of the medial ligament
Tibiocalcaneal part of the medial ligament
Tibionavicular part of the medial ligament
Anterior tibiotalar part of the medial ligament

Question 18

Origin and insertion of the anterior tibiotalar part of the medial ligament

Answer 18

Origin: Medial malleolus of tibia
Insertion: Neck of the talus

Question 19

Origin and insertion of the tibiocalcaneal part of the medial ligament

Answer 19

Origin: medial malleolus
Insertion: sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus

Question 20

Origin and insertion of the tibiocalcaneal part of the medial ligament

Answer 20

Origin: medial malleolus
Insertion: navicular bone

Question 21

Origin and insertion of the tibiocalcaneal part of the medial ligament

Answer 21

Origin: medial malleolus
Insertion: posterior talus

Question 22

Action of the lateral ligament of the ankle joint:

Answer 22

Resists over-inversion of the foot

Question 23

Name 3 ligaments that make up the lateral ligament

Answer 23

Anterior talofibular ligament
Posterior talofibular ligament
Calcaneofibular ligament

Question 24

Origin and insertion of the posterior talofibular ligament

Answer 24

Origin: posterior aspect of the lateral malleolus
Insertion: posterolateral talus

Question 25

Origin and insertion of the anterior talofibular ligament

Answer 25

Origin: anterior edge of the lateral malleolus
Insertion: neck of the talus

Question 26

Origin and insertion of the calcaneofibular ligament

Answer 26

Origin: anterior aspect of the lateral malleolus (below the anterior talofibular ligament)
Insertion: Lateral surface of the calcaneus

Question 27

Action of the lateral collateral ligament complex

Answer 27

Resist inversion of the ankle joint

Question 28

3 ligaments included in the lateral collateral ligament complex

Answer 28

Anterior talofibular ligament
Posterior talofibular ligament
Calcaneofibular ligament

Question 29

General origin and insertion of the lateral collateral ligament complex

Answer 29

Origin: Lateral malleolus
Insertion: Talus & calcaneous

Question 30

Describe the capsule of the ankle joint:

Answer 30

The proximal aspect of the joint capsule is attached to the margins of the articular surfaces of the medial malleolus and lateral malleolus

The distal aspect of the joint capsule is attached to the margins of the taller trochlear surface

The joint capsule is relatively weak and thin, but strengthened medially and laterally by strong collateral ligaments

The internal surface of the capsule is lined by synovial membrane which projects into the distal tibiofibular joint up to the interosseous tibiofibular ligament.