Functional Anatomy of the Ankle Joint and Joints of the Foot

Question 1

What is the largest tendon in the body?

Answer 1

Achilles tendon

Question 2

What is the name of the heel bone?

Answer 2

Calcaneus

Question 3

What type of joint is the ankle?

Answer 3

Enclosed hinge joint

Question 4

What bones make up the ankle joint?

Answer 4

Mortise socket formed by tibia and fibular being bound together by strong tibiofibular ligaments.

Body of the talus fits snuggling in the mortise.

Question 5

What ligaments are in the ankle joint?

Answer 5

Medial ligament (resists over-eversion) = deltoid ligament

Lateral ligament (resists over-inversion) = anterior talofibular, posterior talofibular, cancaneofibular

Question 6

Outline the architecture of the foot with respect to providing support for body weight and stability.

Answer 6

Keystone shape bone acts to support arch, ligaments tie bones, ends are connected by tendons, arch is supported by tendons from above

Question 7

Describe the role of extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the foot

Answer 7

Extrinsic arise from leg = eversion, inversion, plantarflexion, dorsiflexion. Intrinsic (12) = fine motor actions

Question 8

Outline the movements of the ankle and the associated muscles

Answer 8

Plantarflexion = muscles in posterior compartment of leg; gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris and posterior tibialis.

Dorsiflexion = muscles in anterior compartment of leg; tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus.

Question 9

Outline movements at the subtalar joint

Answer 9

Joint between talus and calcaneus. Inversion (sole medial) = tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior.

Eversion (sole lateral) = peroneus longus, peroneus brevis

Question 10

Name the tarsals of the foot

Answer 10

The Circus Needs More Interesting Little Clowns

talus, calcaneus, navicular, medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform, lateral cuneiform, cuboid

Question 11

What joints does the foot contain?

Answer 11

Distal interphalangeal joint,

proximal interphalangeal joint,

metatarsophalangeal joint,

intermetatarsal joint,

tarsometatarsal joint

Question 12

What is the neurovascular supply to the foot?

Answer 12

Deep peroneal n,

posterior tibial n,

superficial peroneal n,

sural n,

saphenous n

Question 13

What are the major muscles involved the medial arch of the foot?

Answer 13

Tibialis anterior and posterior,

fibularis longus,

flexor digitorum longus,

flexor hallucis,

and intrinsic foot muscles