Foot and Ankle Joints and Ligaments

Question 1

Bones of the Foot

Answer 1

7 tarsal bones:

• Talus
• Calcaneus
• Navicular
• Cuboid
• 3 Cuneiforms

5 metatarsals

14 phalanges (5 prox, 4 middle, 5 distal)

Question 2

Foot Anatomical and Functional Parts

Answer 2

Hindfoot: talus and calcaneus

Midfoot: navicular, cuboid, 3 cuneiform bones

Forefoot: metatarsals and phalanges

Question 3

Ankle Joint

Answer 3

Trochlea articulates with tibia and fibula

Trochlea transmits weight b/w calcaneus and foot

Question 4

Talocrural Joint (Actual Ankle Joint)

Answer 4

Articulation:

• Distal ends of tibia and fibula and posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament with trochlea of talus
• Superior part of articulation forms “mortise,” into which round trochlea of talus fits

Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion occur here

Question 5

Ligaments of Talocrural Joint (Lateral Collateral Ligament)

Answer 5

Reinforces ankle laterally helping to prevent excessive inversion

3 ligaments;

• Anterior talofibular ligament
• Posterior talofibular ligament
• Calcaneofibular ligament

Question 6

Anterior Talofibular Ligament

Answer 6

Flat, weak, band that comes anteromedially from the lateral malleolus to the neck of the talus

Reinforces ankle laterally helping to prevent excessive inversion

Question 7

Posterior Talofibular Ligament

Answer 7

Thick, fairly strong band that runs horizontally, medially & slightly posteriorly from the lateral malleolus to the lateral tubercle of the talus

Reinforces ankle laterally helping to prevent excessive inversion

Question 8

Calcaneofibular Ligament

Answer 8

Round, cord-like band that passes posteroinferiorly from the tip of the lateral malleolus to the lateral surface of the calcaneus

Reinforces ankle laterally helping to prevent excessive inversion

Question 9

Deltoid Ligament (Medial Collateral Ligament)

Answer 9

Ligaments of talocrural joint

Reinforces the ankle joint capsule medially helping to prevent excessive eversion and joint subluxation

Stronger than the lateral ligament, the medial ligament attaches proximally to the medial malleolus

Question 10

Deltoid Ligament (Medial Collateral Ligament) Parts

Answer 10

The ligament fans out from the mallelous & attaches distally to the talus, calcaneus, & navicular via four adjacent parts.

These ligaments are called the anterior & posterior tibiotalar part, the tibionavicular part, & the tibiocalcaneal part

Question 11

Subtalar Joint

Answer 11

Articulation: inferior surface of talus articulating with superior surface of calcaneus

Type: synovial plane

Movements: inversion and eversion

Ligaments: medial, lateral, and posterior talocalcaneus ligaments as well as deep interosseous talocalcaneal ligaments

Question 12

Arches of Foot

Answer 12

The way the bones of the feet are aligned causes 3 distinct arches to form-2 longitudinal arches and a transverse arch

Act as shock absorbers and springboards for propelling us forward

Add to the foot’s ability to adapt to changes in surface contour

Help to distribute the body weight over a larger surface area

Question 13

Medial Longitudinal Arch

Answer 13

Higher & composed of the calcaneus, talus, navicular, 3 cuneiforms, & 3 metatarsals

Question 14

Lateral Longitudinal Arch

Answer 14

Much flatter & made up of the calcaneus, cuboid, & lateral 2 metatarsals

Question 15

Transverse Arch

Answer 15

Runs from side to side & formed by the cuboid, cuneiforms & bases of the metatarsals

Question 16

Plantar Aponeurosis

Answer 16

Also known as plantar fascia

Provides the primary support of the medial longitudinal arch

Covers the sole & sides of the foot

Divided into superficial & deep layers:

• Superficial fibers function to reduce shear forces & provide shock absorption
• Deep layer attaches posteriorly to the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity