The Foot and Ankle Region Flashcards
What are the main functions of the foot and ankle region?
Provide a stable base of support.
Serve as a rigid lever for propulsion.
Absorb the shock of weight-bearing.
Conform and adapt to uneven surfaces.
Play an important role in sensation, proprioception, and balance.
Allow adjustment of the line of gravity in standing.
Provide propulsion and restraint in walking.
What are the bones involved in the ankle joint?
Distal tibia
Distal fibula
Talus
What are the three groups of bones in the foot?
Tarsal bones
Metatarsals (I-V)
Phalanges
Describe the distal tibia and its landmarks.
Shaped like a rectangular box.
Medial malleolus (bony protuberance).
Lower surface and medial malleolus articulate with the talus.
Lateral surface has a triangular notch articulating with the fibula.
Describe the distal fibula and its landmarks.
Lateral malleolus (bony protuberance on the lateral side).
Medial surface articulates with the talus.
Malleolar fossa (triangular area articulating with the fibular notch of the tibia).
What are the proximal, intermediate, and distal tarsal bones?
Proximal group: Talus, Calcaneus.
Intermediate bone: Navicular.
Distal group: Cuboid, Medial Cuneiform, Intermediate Cuneiform, Lateral Cuneiform.
What are the features of the talus?
Head: Articulates anteriorly with the navicular and inferiorly with the calcaneus.
Neck: Has a deep groove (sulcus tali).
Body: Articulates with the tibia (upper surface) and calcaneus (lower surface).
What are the features of the calcaneus?
Largest tarsal bone.
Posterior surface:
Upper: Achilles tendon insertion.
Lower: Calcaneal tuberosity.
Medial surface:
Sustentaculum tali.
Lateral surface:
2 raised regions for attachments.
Describe the navicular bone and its clinical relevance.
Shape: Boat-shaped.
Articulations:
Posteriorly: Talus.
Anteriorly: Cuneiforms.
Laterally: Cuboid.
Prominent tuberosity.
Clinical relevance: Accessory navicular, Kohler’s disease.
What are the articulations of the cuboid bone?
Posteriorly: Calcaneus.
Medially: Lateral cuneiform.
Anteriorly: Bases of the lateral two metatarsals.
What are the features of the metatarsals?
Five long bones.
Each consists of a head, shaft, and base.
Base of metatarsal V has a prominent tuberosity.
Clinical relevance: Metatarsal V fracture, Iselin’s apophysitis.
What are the features of the sesamoid bones in the foot?
Two sesamoid bones articulate with the head of metatarsal I.
Embedded within the tendon of flexor hallucis brevis.
How many phalanges are in each toe, and what are their components?
Each toe has three phalanges (proximal, middle, distal), except the great toe, which has two.
Each phalanx has a head, shaft, and base.
What are the structural roles of the tibia and fibula?
Tibia: Main weight-bearing bone, forms the medial malleolus.
Fibula: Smaller, forms the lateral malleolus.
Both are linked by an interosseous membrane.
What is the structure and function of the interosseous membrane in the foot and ankle region?
Tough, fibrous connective tissue between the tibia and fibula.
Provides muscle attachment.
Separates anterior and posterior compartments of the leg.
What are the characteristics of the superior tibiofibular joint?
Type: Synovial plane joint.
Articular surfaces: Head of fibula and inferolateral surface of the lateral condyle of the tibia.
Movement: Small rotational movements during ankle dorsiflexion (DF)/plantarflexion (PF) and gliding.
What is the inferior tibiofibular joint, and why is it clinically relevant?
Type: Fibrous syndesmosis.
Articular surfaces: Fibular notch of distal tibia and medial fibula.
Ligaments: Anterior, posterior, and transverse tibiofibular ligaments.
Clinical relevance: Maisonneuve fracture.
Describe the ankle joint (talocrural joint).
Type: Synovial hinge joint.
Articular surfaces: Talus, distal tibia, and fibula.
Movements: Dorsiflexion (20°-30°) and plantarflexion (~50°).
Ligaments: Medial (deltoid) and lateral ligaments.
What are the movements and characteristics of the subtalar joint?
Type: Synovial plane joint (modified saddle).
Articular surfaces: Concave facet on talus and convex facet on calcaneus.
Movements: Inversion (45°-60°) and eversion (15°-30°).
Ligaments: Talocalcaneal ligaments, interosseous talocalcaneal ligament.
What is the mid-tarsal (transverse) joint, and what movements does it perform?
Composed of: Talocalcaneonavicular joint and calcaneocuboid joint.
Type: Synovial ball-and-socket joint.
Movements: Gliding, rotation, inversion/eversion, pronation/supination.
Describe the talocalcaneonavicular joint.
Articular surfaces: Navicular, talus, sustentaculum tali.
Ligaments: Interosseous talocalcaneal, talonavicular, bifurcate, plantar calcaneonavicular.
Describe the calcaneocuboid joint.
Articular surfaces: Facets on calcaneus and cuboid.
Ligaments: Bifurcate, long plantar, short plantar ligaments.
What is the clinical relevance of the tarsometatarsal joint?
Type: Synovial plane joint.
Movements: Gliding.
Clinical relevance: Lisfranc injury.
What are the medial (deltoid) ligament components, and what is their function?
Components: Tibionavicular, tibiocalcaneal, posterior tibiotalar, anterior tibiotalar.
Function: Stabilizes the medial side of the ankle joint.
Clinical relevance: Avulsion fracture.
What are the components of the lateral ligament, and its clinical relevance?
Components: Anterior talofibular, posterior talofibular, calcaneofibular ligaments.
Clinical relevance: Common site of lateral ankle sprains.
What is the spring ligament (plantar calcaneonavicular ligament), and what is its function?
Supports the head of the talus and the talocalcaneonavicular joint.
Resists depression of the medial arch.
Name the ligaments supporting the lateral arch of the foot.
Long plantar ligament.
Short plantar ligament (plantar calcaneocuboid ligament).
What are the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot, and how are they supported?
Longitudinal arch: Height varies among individuals.
Transverse arch: Formed by the bases of the metatarsals.
Support ligaments: Spring ligament, short plantar ligament, long plantar ligament, plantar aponeurosis.
Describe the metatarsophalangeal joints.
Type: Synovial ellipsoid joint.
Movements: Flexion/extension, abduction/adduction.
Ligaments: Medial collateral, lateral collateral, plantar ligaments.
What are the movements of the interphalangeal joints?
Type: Synovial hinge joints.
Movements: Flexion/extension.
Ligaments: Medial collateral, lateral collateral, plantar ligaments.
What is the deep transverse metatarsal ligament, and what is its function?
Connects adjacent metatarsal heads.
Maintains transverse arch stability.
