HAL Lab 12: Ankle joint and Foot

Question 1

What is the most superficial structure on the sole of the foot

Answer 1

Plantar aponeurosis: anchors the skin and protects underlying structures.

Question 2

First layer of the foot from sole muscles: medial to lateral

Answer 2

Abductor Hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, abductor digiti minimi brevis

Question 3

Between 1st and 2nd layer of foot from sole what can you see

Answer 3

Flexor hallucis brevis and
Flexor digiti minimi brevis on either side,
in the middle, the lateral plantar nerve artery and vein

Question 4

Compare muscular vs sensory supply from the lateral and medial plantar nerve, artery and vein

Answer 4

Lateral does most of the muscles but less of the sensory innervation on the lateral side, like 1.5 digits, (like ulnar in wrist)

Medial does less muscles on the medial side of the foot but majority of sensory innervation like 3.5 digits

Question 5

What is in layer 2 of foot

Answer 5

Tendons of long flexor digitorum going from medial to lateral. Attached to the tendons of FDL are lumbricals. Sitting just underneath the FDL is the quadratus plantae which is a square (straight) which helps to straighten out the tendon to allow flexing better.

Question 6

What muscles in level 3: medial to lateral

Answer 6

Flexor hallucis brevis, adductor hallucis, and the Flexor digiti minimi brevis

Question 7

What muscles, tendons in level 4

Answer 7

Interosseoi muscles, Peroneus longus tendon which crosses from the lateral malleolus to the big toe metatarsal and medial cuneiform

Question 8

What ankle bones articulate with the metatarsals and what is special about these joints that allow more stability

Answer 8

Medial cuneiform: big toe
int. cun: 2nd
lat. cun. 3rd 
Cuboid: 4th and 5th
The joints are staggered between them so there is more stability

Question 9

What is special about digiti minimi metatarsal

Answer 9

Lateral metatarsal has a large styloid/tuberosity on outside for attachment of peroneus brevis.

Question 10

What is special about hallucis metatarsal

Answer 10

Much larger and robust as most weight is transferred here.

Question 11

What is sustenaculum tali

Answer 11

A medial shelflike extension of the calcaneous which 1) forms part of sub talar joint
2) pins down tendons running to the plantar aspect from the lateral leg, 3) place of attachment for ligaments like spring ligament to navicular to support the head of talus

Question 12

What is the purpose of two sesamoid bones underneath the distal metatarsal end?

Answer 12

They form with flexor hallucis brevis tendons and help it to slide across the surface of toe during flexion

Question 13

What is the major structural distinction between medial and lateral collateral ligaments in real life

Answer 13

Medial is more flattened sheet of thickening of the joint capsule whereas lateral is more separate and identifiable