Foot

Question 1

Bones of the Foot

Answer 1

The foot consists of 26 bones, which can be categorized into three main groups:

• Tarsal Bones (7):
• Talus: Connects the foot to the leg.
• Calcaneus: The heel bone, which supports the weight of the body.
• Navicular: Located in front of the talus.
• Cuneiform Bones (medial, intermediate, lateral): Three bones that articulate with the first three metatarsals.
• Cuboid: Positioned lateral to the cuneiform bones and articulates with the fourth and fifth metatarsals.
• Metatarsal Bones (5): Long bones in the middle of the foot, numbered I to V from medial to lateral. They connect the tarsal bones to the phalanges.
• Phalanges (14): Bones of the toes. Each toe has three phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal), except for the big toe (hallux), which has two.

Question 2

Muscles of the Foot

Answer 2

The muscles of the foot can be divided into two main groups:

• Dorsal Muscles:
• Tibialis Anterior: Dorsiflexes and inverts the foot.
• Extensor Hallucis Longus: Extends the big toe.
• Extensor Digitorum Longus: Extends the other toes.
• Peroneus Tertius: Assists in dorsiflexion and eversion.
• Plantar Muscles: Divided into four layers:
• First Layer: Abductor hallucis, Flexor digitorum brevis, Abductor digiti minimi.
• Second Layer: Quadratus plantae, Lumbricals.
• Third Layer: Flexor hallucis brevis, Adductor hallucis, Flexor digiti minimi brevis.
• Fourth Layer: Dorsal and plantar interossei.

Question 3

Joints of the Foot

Answer 3

The foot contains several joints, including:

• Ankle Joint: A hinge joint formed by the tibia, fibula, and talus, allowing for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.
• Subtalar Joint: Between the talus and calcaneus, allowing for inversion and eversion.
• Tarsometatarsal Joints: Between tarsal bones and metatarsals, providing limited movement.
• Metatarsophalangeal Joints (MTP): Between metatarsals and phalanges, allowing flexion, extension, and some abduction/adduction.
• Interphalangeal Joints: Hinge joints between phalanges, allowing flexion and extension.

Question 4

Ligaments of the Foot

Answer 4

Ligaments provide stability to the foot and include:

• Lateral Ligaments: Such as the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, and posterior talofibular ligaments, which stabilize the ankle.
• Medial Ligament (Deltoid Ligament): Provides support on the medial side of the ankle.
• Plantar Ligaments: Including the long plantar ligament and the spring ligament (calcaneonavicular ligament), which support the arches of the foot

Question 5

Blood Vessels of the Foot

Answer 5

The blood supply to the foot is primarily provided by:

• Arteries:
• Anterior Tibial Artery: Becomes the dorsalis pedis artery on the dorsum of the foot.
• Posterior Tibial Artery: Gives rise to the medial and lateral plantar arteries, supplying the sole of the foot.
• Fibular Artery: Supplies the lateral compartment of the leg and contributes to the blood supply of the foot.
• Veins:
• Great Saphenous Vein: Drains the medial side of the leg and foot.
• Small Saphenous Vein: Drains the lateral side of the leg and foot

Question 6

Nerves of the Foot

Answer 6

Nerve supply is crucial for sensation and movement:

• Tibial Nerve: Supplies the muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg and branches into the medial and lateral plantar nerves, innervating the muscles of the sole.
• Common Peroneal Nerve: Divides into superficial and deep peroneal nerves, supplying the muscles of the lateral and anterior compartments, respectively.
• Sural Nerve: Provides sensory innervation to the posterior aspect of the leg and lateral side of the foot