Important Features of the Foot

Question 1

What are the 5 main joints of the foot?

Answer 1

Subtalar joint (talo-calcaneal)
Talo-calcaneo-navicular
Calcaneo-cuboid
Cuneo-navicular
Tarso-metatarsal

Question 2

What amputation is performed at the tarso-metatarsal joint?

Answer 2

Lisfranc amputation

Question 3

What two joints combine to form the transverese tarsal joint?

Answer 3

calcaneo-cuboid

talo-navicular part of talo-calcaneo-navicular joint

Question 4

What amputation is performed at the transverse tarsal joint?

Answer 4

Chopart’s amputation

Question 5

What are the 3 important plantar ligaments of the foot?

Answer 5

Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament (spring ligament)
Long plantar ligament
Short plantar ligament (plantar calcaneocuboid)

Question 6

What does the plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament do?

Answer 6

supports the head of the talus

Question 7

What does the long plantar ligament do?

Answer 7

supports/maintains the longitudinal arch of the foot

Question 8

What does the short plantar (plantar calcaneocuboid) ligament do?

Answer 8

involved in maintaining the longitudinal arch of the foot

Question 9

What is the inferior extensor retinaculum?

Answer 9

Y-shaped band of deep fascia in the foot (Supports muscles and tendons)

Question 10

Plantar aponeurosis is also part of the deep fascia of the foot. What does it do?

Answer 10

supports the longitudinal arch of the foot and protects deeper structures in the sole

Question 11

What are the 3 arches of the foot?

Answer 11

medial longitudinal
lateral longitudinal
transverse longitudinal

Question 12

What is the medial longitudinal arch composed of? What is its position relative to the lateral longitudinal arch?

Answer 12

Calcaneus, talus, navicular, cuneiforms, & 1st – 3rd metatarsals

Higher (also more important)

Question 13

What is the lateral longitudinal arch composed of? Is it involved in standing?

Answer 13

Calcaneus, cuboid, & 4th, 5th metatarsals

rests on the ground when standing (flatter than the medial arch)

Question 14

What is the transverse longitudinal arch of the composed of?

Answer 14

Navicular, cuneiforms, cuboid, & 1st – 5th metatarsals

Question 15

What are the passive supports of the arches of the foot?

Answer 15

plantar aponeurosis
long plantar ligament
short plantar (plantar calcaneocuboid) ligament
Spring (calcaneonavicular) ligament

Question 16

What are the dynamic supports of the arches of the foot?

Answer 16

tibialis anterior m
tibialis post m
flexor hallucis longus m
fibularis longus m
intrinsic plantar m (extensor digitorum/hallucis brevis)

Question 17

What 7 nerves supply the foot?

Answer 17

Saphenous nerve (from femoral)
Superficial fibular nerve (branch of common fibular)
Deep fibular nerve (branch of common fibular)
Medial plantar nerve (terminal division of tibial)
Lateral plantar nerve (terminal division of tibial)
Sural nerve ( From union of cutaneous branches from tibial and common fibular nerves)
Calcaneal branches (from sural and tibial nerves)

Question 18

What arteries supply the dorsum of the foot? (in order of appearance)

Answer 18

anterior tibial artery
dorsalis pedis artery (medial side)
lateral tarsal artery (lateral side)
arcuate artery (lateral side)
deep plantar artery (medial side)
1st dorsal metatarsal artery
dorsal digital arteries

Question 19

What arteries supply the plantar aspect of the foot? (from the toes to the tibia)

Answer 19

deep plantar artery
perforating branches
medial plantar artery
lateral plantar artery
posterior tibial artery