The Ankle Joint Flashcards
Another name for the ankle joint?
Talocrual joint
What is the ankle joint?
A synovial joint located in the lower limb
What are the movements produced by the ankle joint?
Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot
What type of joint is the ankle joint functionally?
Hinge joint
In terms of movement, what type of joint is the ankle joint?
Uniaxial, permitting movement about an axis
What bones make up the ankle joint?
Tibia
Fibula of the leg
Talus of the foot
Talk about the groove on the posterior surface of the tibia
The tendon of tibialis posterior passes there
What is the function of the styloid process of the fibula?
Insertion of biceps femoris
The tibia and fibula are bound together by…
…strong tibiofibular ligaments.
What is the mortise?
A bracket shaped socket, covered in hyaline cartilage, formed by the fibula and tibia
What fits into the mortise formed by the tibia and fibula?
The body of the talus fits
When is the ankle joint more stable - plantar or dorsiflexion?
Dorsiflexion
Position of the talus in the mortise during dorsiflexion
The anterior part of the talus (broader) is held in the mortise, and the joint is more stable.
Position of the talus in the mortise during plantarflexion
The posterior part of the talus (narrower) is held in the mortise, and the joint is less stable.
Describe the fibrous capsule of the ankle joint
It is thin both in front and back and reinforced by ligaments on both sides
Attachments of the fibrous capsule of the ankle
Above - The border of the articular face of the tibia and fibula
Below - The margins of the trochlea
How many bones make up the ankle joint?
Three
Synovial membrane at the ankle joint
- It is loose and lines the interior surface of the fibrous capsule
The synovial membrane at the foot is loose, true or false?
True
The synovial membrane does not extend into the crevices formed by the bones, true or false?
False, it does
The ligaments of the ankle joint originate from the…
…each malleolus
How many ligaments reinforce the ankle joint?
Two - The Medial/Deltoid and Lateral
Deltoid = Triangular
The medial ligament of the ankle goes from where to where?
From the medial malleolus of the tibia to talus, calcaneus and navicular
The primary action of the medial ligament is…
…to resist over-eversion of the foot.
The lateral ligament of the ankle goes from where to where?
From the lateral malleolus of the fibula to talus and calcaneus.
How many ligaments make up the lateral ligament of the ankle?
Three - Anterior talofibular, Posterior talofibular and Calcaneofibular
Function of the lateral ligament of the ankle
It resists over-inversion of the foot
Which muscles produce plantarflexion?
The muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg (gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris and posterior tibialis).
Which muscles produce dorsiflexion?
The muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg (tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus
Innervation of the ankle join
Tibial (Posterior muscles)
Superficial fibular
Deep fibular (Anterior muscles)
Arterial supply of the ankle joint
The malleolar branches of the:
- anterior tibial
- posterior tibial
- fibular arteries.
