Rami article Flashcards
What is biomechanics?
The study of the normal mechanics (kinetics and kinematics) in the musculoskeletal system by analysing their effects on anatomical structures
What are the important mechanical structures of the foot?
The bony skeleton(provides rigidity and lever arm mechanism required to maintain balance during standing and facilitate propulsion) The joints (confer flexibility) The muscles and tendons (control foot movement)
What is the function of the bony skeleton (together with the ligaments and arches) in the foot?
Provides relative rigidity and the essential lever arm mechanism required to maintain balance during standing and facilitate propulsion
How many bones are there in the foot?
26 bones:
- 7 tarsals
- 5 metatarsals
- 14 phalanges
How many joints are there in the foot?
6 (ankle, subtalar, midtarsal, tarsometatarsal , metatarsophalangeal [MTP] and inter-phalangeal [IP] joints)
What are the 4 sections of the foot?
Hindfoot
Midfoot
Forefoot
Phalanges
What 2 bones make up the hindfoot?
Talus
Calcaneus
What are the 3 parts of the talus?
Body
Neck
Head
What is the purpose of the talus?
To transmit reactive forces from the foot through the ankle joint to the leg
Where is the talus situated anatomically?
Between calcaneus and tibia
What is the largest bone in the foot?
Calcaneus
What is the purpose of the calcaneus?
Provides lever arm for the insertion of the Achilles tendon
What does the Achilles tendon do?
One of the largest and strongest tendons in the body
through Achilles tendon gastroc and soleus impart powerful plantarflexion forces to the foot
Why is the calcaneus able to withstand high tensile, bending and compressive forces on a regular basis without damage?
Due to the height, width and structure of the ACHILLES TENDON
What structure make up the midfoot?
Navicular
Cuboid
3 cunieforms
Which bone is the keystone at the top of the medial longitudinal arch?
Navicular
Where is the navicular sited anatomically?
Medial to the cuboid
Articulates with head of the talus anteriorly
Where is the cuboid sited anatomically?
Articulates with the calcaneus proximally
4th and 5th metatarsals distally
Describe the shape of the cunieforms
Convexly shaped on broad dorsal aspect
Plantar surface is concave and wedge shaped so the apex of each bone points anteriorly
What do the cunieforms articulate with distally?
1st, 2nd and 3rd metatarsals
Which metatarsal is the shortest and widest?
1st
What does the second metatarsal articulate with?
Intermediate cunieform as well as medial and lateral cunieforms in key-like fashion