Anatomy of foot & lower limb joints

Question 1

Name the different tarsals.

Answer 1

Calcaneus
Talus
Navicular
Cuboid
Intermediate, lateral, medial Cuneiforms

Question 2

Name the different parts of the Phalanges

Answer 2

Proximal
Middle
Distal

Question 3

*Extrinsic Muscles

Answer 3

Arise from the anterior, posterior and lateral compartments of the leg.
They are mainly responsible for actions such as eversion, inversion, plantarflexion and dorsiflexion of the foot.

Question 4

*Intrinsic muscles

Answer 4

Are located within the foot and are responsible for the fine motor actions of the foot, for example movement of individual digits.

Question 5

Name the 2 intrinsic muscles located within the dorsum of the foot.

Answer 5

Extensor Digitorum Brevis
Extensor Hallucis Brevis

Question 6

What are the attachments and actions of the Extensor Digitorum Brevis?

Answer 6

• Originates from the calcaneus and inferior extensor retinaculum. It attaches onto the long extensor tendons of the medial four toes.
• Extension of the lateral four toes

Question 7

Name the attachments and action of the Extensor Hallucis Brevis.

Answer 7

• Originates from the calcaneus and inferior extensor retinaculum. It attaches to the base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe.
• Extension of the great toe.

Question 8

Name the 2 different groups of ligaments in the hip joint.

Answer 8

• Intrascapular
• Extrascapular

Question 9

Name the one Intrascapular ligament

Answer 9

Ligament of head of femur

Question 10

Name the different Extrascapular ligaments

Answer 10

Iliofemoral ligament
Pubofemoral
Ischiofemoral

Question 11

*Medial and lateral menisci

Answer 11

Fibrocartilage structures in the knee

Question 12

What are the functions of the knee menisci?

Answer 12

• Deepen the articular surface of the tibia, thus increasing stability of the joint
• Shock absorbers, by increasing surface area to further dissipate forces.

Question 13

Name the major ligaments in the knee joint

Answer 13

Patellar ligament
Collateral Ligament
Cruciate ligament

Question 14

What is the attachment of the Medial Ligament in the ankle?

Answer 14

Attached to the medial malleolus

Question 15

Extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallucis brevis is innervated by which nerve?

Answer 15

fibular nerve

Question 16

What is the location, attachments, innervation and action of the Flexor digitorium brevis?

Answer 16

located laterally to the abductor hallucis. It sits in the centre of the sole, sandwiched between the plantar aponeurosis and the tendons of flexor digitorum longus.
* Attachments:
Originates from the medial tubercle of the calcaneus and the plantar aponeurosis. It attaches to the middle phalanges of the lateral four digits.
* Actions:
Flexion of the lateral four toes at the proximal interphalangeal joints.
* Innervation:
Medial plantar nerve.

Question 17

What is the location, attachments, innervation and action of the Abductor hallucis?

Answer 17

located on the medial side of the sole, where it contributes to a small soft tissue bulge.
* Attachments:
Originates from the medial tubercle of the calcaneus, the flexor retinaculum and the plantar aponeurosis. It attaches to the medial base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe.
* Actions:
Abduction and flexion of the great toe.
* Innervation:
Medial plantar nerve.

Question 18

What is the location, attachments, innervation and action of the Abductor digiti minimi?

Answer 18

located on the lateral side of the foot. It is homologous with the abductor digiti minimi of the hand.
* Attachments:
Originates from the medial and lateral tubercles of the calcaneus and the plantar aponeurosis. It attaches to the lateral base of the proximal phalanx of the 5th digit.
* Actions:
Abduction and flexion of the little toe.
* Innervation:
Lateral plantar nerve.

Question 19

What is the location, attachments, innervation and action of the Quadratus plantae?

Answer 19

a flat, square-shaped muscle with two heads of origin.
* Attachments:
Originates from the medial and lateral plantar surface of the calcaneus. It attaches to the tendons of flexor digitorum longus.
* Actions:
Assists the flexor digitorum longus in flexion of the lateral four toes.
* Innervation:
Lateral plantar nerve.

Question 20

What is the location, attachments, innervation and action of the Lumbricals?

Answer 20

There are four lumbrical muscles in the foot. They are each located medial to their respective tendon of the flexor digitorum longus.
* Attachments:
Originates from the tendons of flexor digitorum longus. Attaches to the extensor hoods of the lateral four digits.
* Actions:
Flexion at the metatarsophalangeal joints and extension at the interphalangeal joints.
* Innervation:
Medial lumbrical – medial plantar nerve.
Lateral three lumbricals – lateral plantar nerve

Question 21

What is the location, attachments, innervation and action of the Flexor hallicus brevis?

Answer 21

located on the medial side of the foot. It has two heads of origin.
* Attachments:
* Lateral head – originates from the plantar surfaces of the cuboid and lateral cuneiforms
* Medial head – originates from the tendon of the posterior tibialis tendon.
* The fibres converge into a single muscle belly, which attaches to the base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe.
* Actions: Flexion of the great toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint.
* Innervation: Medial plantar nerve.

Question 22

What is the location, attachments, innervation and action of the Adductor hallucis?

Answer 22

located laterally to the flexor hallucis brevis. It consists of an oblique and transverse head.
* Attachments:
* Oblique head – originates from the bases of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsals.
* Transverse head – originates from the plantar ligaments of the metatarsophalangeal joints.
* Both heads attach to the lateral aspect of the base of the proximal phalanx of the great toe.
* Actions:
Adduction of the great toe. Supports the transverse arch of the foot
Innervation:
Deep branch of lateral plantar nerve

Question 23

What is the location, attachments, innervation and action of the Flexor digiti minimi brevis?

Answer 23

located on the lateral side of the foot, underneath the metatarsal of the little toe. It resembles the interossei in structure.
* Attachments:
Originates from the base of the fifth metatarsal and attaches to the base of the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit.
* Actions:
Flexion of the little toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint. Innervation:
* Superficial branch of lateral plantar nerve.

Question 24

What is the location, attachments, innervation and action of the Plantar Interossei?

Answer 24

There are three plantar interossei, which are located between the metatarsals. Each arises from a single metatarsal.
* Attachments:
Originates from the medial side of metatarsals three to five. Attaches to the medial sides of the phalanges of digits three to five.
* Actions:
Adduction of the lateral three digits and flexion at the metatarsophalangeal joints.
* Innervation:
Lateral plantar nerve.

Question 25

What is the location, attachments, innervation and action of the Dorsal Interossei?

Answer 25

There are four dorsal interossei, which are located between the metatarsals. Each arises from two metatarsals. * Attachments: Originates from the lateral aspect of the metatarsals. The first muscle attaches to the medial side of the proximal phalanx of the second digit. The second to fourth interossei attach to the lateral sides of the proximal phalanxes of digits two to four. * Actions: Abduction of the lateral four digits and flexion at the metatarsophalangeal joints. * Innervation: Lateral plantar nerve.