Joints of the Lower Leg and Foot

Question 1

Where the head of the Fibula articulates with the lateral condyle of the Tibia

Plane Joint

Limited superior, posterior glide during dorsiflexion

Limited inferior, anterior glide during plantar flexion

Answer 1

Proximal Tibiofibular Joint

Question 2

One of the two proximal Tibiofibular ligaments

Attaches from the anterior proximal Tibia to the anterior proximal Fibular head

Answer 2

Anterior Ligament of the Fibular Head

Question 3

One of the two proximal ligaments of the Tibiofibular Joint

Attaches from the posterior proximal Tibia to the posterior proximal Fibular head

Answer 3

Posterior Ligament of the Fibular Head

Question 4

Strong, “sheet-like” connective tissue between the Tibia and Fibula

Syndesmosis Joint

Thickens at the distal end to become the interosseous ligament

Answer 4

Interosseous Membrane

Question 5

Where the distal end of the Fibula articulates with the distal end of the Tibia

Fibrous Joint

Answer 5

Distal Tibiofibular Joint

Question 6

One of the two distal tibiofibular ligaments

Attaches the anterior distal Tibia to the anterior distal Fibula

Answer 6

Anterior Tibiofibular Ligament

Question 7

One of the two distal Tibiofibular ligaments

Attaches the posterior distal Tibia to the posterior distal Fibula

Answer 7

Posterior Tibiofibular Ligament

Question 8

“The Ankle Joint”

Where the distal ends of the Tibia and Fibula articulate with the Trochlea (dome) of the Talus

Hinge Joint

Performs Dorsiflexion and Plantar Flexion

Answer 8

Talocrural Joint

Question 9

Collective Joint: The Talocalcaneonavicular and the Calcaneocuboid

Aka Midtarsal Joint

Helps increase the range of inversion and eversion by allowing abduction at the foot

Answer 9

Transverse Tarsal Joint

Question 10

When refering to the the articulations of the Tarsal bones as a group

Includes the Subtalar, Talocalcaneonavicular, and Calcaneocuboid

Answer 10

Intertarsal Joints

Question 11

Where the Inferior aspect of the talus articulates with the superior aspect of the calcaneus

Plane Joint

Performs Inversion and Eversion

Supported by the Talocalcaneal ligaments

Answer 11

Subtalar Joint

Question 12

Where the Calcaneus and the Cuboid articulate

Plane Joint

Answer 12

Calcaneocuboid Joint

Question 13

Where the Talus, Calcaneous and the Navicular articulate

On the medial side of the Foot

Ball and Socket Joint (atypical)

Answer 13

Talocalcaneonavicular Joint

Question 14

Checks Inversion (when ankle is in neutral)

Attaches the lateral malleolus to the lateral calcaneous

Answer 14

Calcaneofibular Ligament

Question 15

Strong mechanism of Injury

The bone is pulled away by a strong ligament or muscle pull

Answer 15

Avulsion Fracture

Question 16

Checks Inversion

Most commonly injured ligament in the foot (95% of ankle sprains)

Attaches the lateral malleolus to the neck of the Talus

Answer 16

Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL)

Question 17

Checks ankle eversion

Made up of four ligaments: anterior Tibiotalar, Tibionavicular, Tibiocalcaneal, and posterior Tibiotalar

Attaches the medial malleolus to the tarsal bones of the medial foot

Answer 17

Deltoid Ligaments

Question 18

Attaches the Sustentaculum Tali (of the Calcaneus) to the posteroinferior surface of the Navicular

Helps to maintain medial longitudinal arch

If stretched can cause a “Flat Foot”

Answer 18

Plantar Calcaneonavicular Ligament

(Aka Spring Ligament)

Question 19

Attaches the plantar surface of the Calcaneus to the Cuboid and the bases of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Metatarsals

Helps to maintain the arches of the foot

Forms a tunnel for the tendon of Peroneus (fibularis) Longus

Answer 19

Long Plantar Ligament