Talocrural (ankle) Joint

Question 1

What is the classification of the talocrural joint?

Answer 1

Hinge joint

Question 2

What Bones/articulations are in the talk crural joint

Answer 2

Mortise (tib & fib) and Tenon (Talus)

Question 3

What are the additional features of the ankle (bursae/meniscus)?

Answer 3

Retinaculae - Flexor, perineal + superior and inferior extensor.

Question 4

Describe the capsule of the Talocrural joint…

Answer 4

• Fibrous capsule completely surrounds joint and attaches to post. aspect of the post. tib-fib ligament.
• Capsule is thin anteriorly and posteriorly to allow movement.
• Capsule is strengthened laterally by collateral ligaments.

Question 5

Describe the role of the synovial membrane in the talocrural joint…

Answer 5

• Lines capsule

- produces synovial fluid which; nourishes cartilage and removes waste + reduces friction.

Question 6

What are the medial ligaments of the Talocrural joint?

Answer 6

• Posterior and anterior tibiotalar ligaments (deep and largely hidden)
• Tibiocalcaneal ligament and tibionavicular ligament (superficial)

Question 7

What are the lateral ligaments of the Talocrural joint?

Answer 7

• Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)
• Posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL)
• Calacaneofibular ligament (CFL)

Question 8

Degrees of Freedom

Answer 8

• One

Question 9

What movements are available at the Talocrural joints?

Answer 9

Plantar flexion and dorsi flexion

Question 10

Which muscles are responsible for plantar flexion at the talocrural joint and which nerve are they innervated by?

Answer 10

Deep:

1) Tibialis Posterior
2) Flexor digitorum longus (Tom, Dick & Harry)
3) Flexor hallucis longus

Superficial:

1) Gastrocnemius
2) Soleus
3) Plantaris

ALL innervated by the Tibial Nerve (L4-S3)

Question 11

Which muscles are responsible for dorsiflexion at the talocrural joint and which nerve innervates them?

Answer 11

1) Tibialis anterior
2) Extensor Hallucis longus
3) Extensor Digitorum Longus

ALL innervated by deep peroneal (Sciatic) (L4-5, S1)

Question 12

What is the origin, insertion and action of the tibialis posterior?

Answer 12

Origin: Interosseous membrane and adjacent margins of tib/fib.

Insertion: Navicular tuberosity; medial cuniform; bases of 2nd-4th metatarsals.

Action: Plantarflexion of talocrural joint; inversion of subtalar joint.

Question 13

What is the origin, insertion and action of the flexor digitorum longus?

Answer 13

Origin: Middle 1/3 of post. surface of tibia

Insertion: Bases of distal phalanges of the 2nd-5th digits.

Action: Plantarflexion of talocrural
Inversion of sub-talar
Plantar flexion of metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of 2nd-5th digits.

Question 14

What is the origin, insertion and action of the flexor hallucis longs?

Answer 14

Origin: Interosseous membrane & distal 2/3 of post. surface of fibula.

Insertion: Base of distal phalanx of 1st toe.

Action: Plantar flexion of talocrural; inversion of sub-talar; plantar flexion of metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of 1st toe.

Question 15

What is the origin, insertion and action of the Soleus?

Answer 15

Origin: Post surface of the proximal fibula and solar line of tibia.

Insertion: Dorsum of calcaneus via calcanea (achilles) tendon.

Action: Plantar flexion of the talocrural joint; and foot.

Question 16

What is the origin, insertion and action of the Gastrocnemuis?

Answer 16

Origin:
(Medial head) Femur and medial femoral condyle superiorly
(Lateral head) Femur and lateral femoral condyle superiorly

Common insertion: Dorsum of calcaneus via calcanea (achilles) tendon.

Action: Plantar flexion of the talocrural joint; flexion of the knee.

Question 17

What is the origin, insertion and action of the Plantaris?

Answer 17

Origin: Lateral condyle of the femur

Insertion: Dorsum of the calcaneus, medial to the calcaneal (achilles) tendon.

Action: Plantar flexion of the talocrural; flexion of the knee.

Question 18

What is the origin, insertion and action of the Tibialis anterior?

Answer 18

Origin: Lateral proximal tibia; interosseous membrane and the superficial crural fascia.

Insertion: Medial surface of the medial cuneiform and 1st metatarsal.

Action: Dorsiflexion of talocrural; inversion of subtalar.

Question 19

What is the origin, insertion and action of the Extensor hallucis longus?

Answer 19

Origin: Medial surface of the fibula and interosseous membrane.

Insertion: Base of the distal phalanx and the dorsal aponeurosis of the 1st digit.

Action: Dorsiflexion of the talocrural
(supports supination/pronation of subtalar)

Extension of metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of 1st digit.

Question 20

What is the origin, insertion and action of the Extensor digitorum longus?

Answer 20

Origin: Head and anterior margin of the fibula; lateral condyle of tibia; interosseous membrane.

Insertion: Bases and dorsal aponeuroses of the lateral four digits via the extensor expansion.

Action: Dorsiflexion of the talocrural joint; eversion of subtalar joint; Extension of metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of digits 2-5.

Question 21

What is the blood supply of the Talocrural joint?

Answer 21

Anterior and posterior tibial arteries.