The Ankle Joint

Question 1

Another name for the ankle joint?

Answer 1

Talocrual joint

Question 2

What is the ankle joint?

Answer 2

A synovial joint located in the lower limb

Question 3

What are the movements produced by the ankle joint?

Answer 3

Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot

Question 4

What type of joint is the ankle joint functionally?

Answer 4

Hinge joint

Question 5

In terms of movement, what type of joint is the ankle joint?

Answer 5

Uniaxial, permitting movement about an axis

Question 6

What bones make up the ankle joint?

Answer 6

Tibia
Fibula of the leg
Talus of the foot

Question 7

Talk about the groove on the posterior surface of the tibia

Answer 7

The tendon of tibialis posterior passes there

Question 8

What is the function of the styloid process of the fibula?

Answer 8

Insertion of biceps femoris

Question 9

The tibia and fibula are bound together by…

Answer 9

…strong tibiofibular ligaments.

Question 10

What is the mortise?

Answer 10

A bracket shaped socket, covered in hyaline cartilage, formed by the fibula and tibia

Question 11

What fits into the mortise formed by the tibia and fibula?

Answer 11

The body of the talus fits

Question 12

When is the ankle joint more stable - plantar or dorsiflexion?

Answer 12

Dorsiflexion

Question 13

Position of the talus in the mortise during dorsiflexion

Answer 13

The anterior part of the talus (broader) is held in the mortise, and the joint is more stable.

Question 14

Position of the talus in the mortise during plantarflexion

Answer 14

The posterior part of the talus (narrower) is held in the mortise, and the joint is less stable.

Question 15

Describe the fibrous capsule of the ankle joint

Answer 15

It is thin both in front and back and reinforced by ligaments on both sides

Question 16

Attachments of the fibrous capsule of the ankle

Answer 16

Above - The border of the articular face of the tibia and fibula
Below - The margins of the trochlea

Question 17

How many bones make up the ankle joint?

Answer 17

Three

Question 18

Synovial membrane at the ankle joint

Answer 18

• It is loose and lines the interior surface of the fibrous capsule

Question 19

The synovial membrane at the foot is loose, true or false?

Answer 19

True

Question 20

The synovial membrane does not extend into the crevices formed by the bones, true or false?

Answer 20

False, it does

Question 21

The ligaments of the ankle joint originate from the…

Answer 21

…each malleolus

Question 22

How many ligaments reinforce the ankle joint?

Answer 22

Two - The Medial/Deltoid and Lateral

Deltoid = Triangular

Question 23

The medial ligament of the ankle goes from where to where?

Answer 23

From the medial malleolus of the tibia to talus, calcaneus and navicular

Question 24

The primary action of the medial ligament is…

Answer 24

…to resist over-eversion of the foot.

Question 25

The lateral ligament of the ankle goes from where to where?

Answer 25

From the lateral malleolus of the fibula to talus and calcaneus.

Question 26

How many ligaments make up the lateral ligament of the ankle?

Answer 26

Three - Anterior talofibular, Posterior talofibular and Calcaneofibular

Question 27

Function of the lateral ligament of the ankle

Answer 27

It resists over-inversion of the foot

Question 28

Which muscles produce plantarflexion?

Answer 28

The muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg (gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris and posterior tibialis).

Question 29

Which muscles produce dorsiflexion?

Answer 29

The muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg (tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus

Question 30

Innervation of the ankle join

Answer 30

Tibial (Posterior muscles)
Superficial fibular
Deep fibular (Anterior muscles)

Question 31

Arterial supply of the ankle joint

Answer 31

The malleolar branches of the:

• anterior tibial
• posterior tibial
• fibular arteries.