Untitled Quiz

Anatomical Basis of Foot Movement

• The foot's bones include the tarsus (7 bones), metatarsals (5 bones), and phalanges (14 bones).
• The tarsus consists of the talus, calcaneus, cuboid, and three cuneiform bones.
• The talus is critical for connecting the foot and lower leg.
• The calcaneus is the largest tarsal bone and supports the heel.
• The cuboid and navicular bones are located in the midfoot.
• The three cuneiforms (medial, intermediate, lateral) connect the navicular to the metatarsals.
• The ankle joint is a hinge joint between the tibia, fibula, and the talus.

Learning Objectives

• Identifying important features of foot bones.
• Describing the arrangement of deep foot ligaments (flexor and extensor retinacula).
• Listing and describing the foot joints (ankle, subtalar, and midtarsal).
• Detailing important ligaments of the ankle, subtalar, and midtarsal joints.
• Identifying which muscles move the foot and what nerves control them.
• Identifying anatomical structures damaged in common foot injuries.

Bones of the Foot

• The tarsus comprises the seven bones forming the main part of the foot.
• The metatarsals are five bones of the forefoot.
• The phalanges are 14 bones of the toes.

Tarsal Bones

• The talus sits superior to the other tarsal bones, forming a crucial connection with the tibia and fibula.
• The calcaneus serves as the foundational bone for the heel.
• The cuboid and navicular bones lie in the midfoot area.
• The cuneiform bones (medial, intermediate, and lateral) connect the navicular bone to the metatarsals.
• The talus articulates superiorly (trochlear surface) with the tibia and fibula.
• The talus articulates laterally and medially (posteriorly) with the tibia and fibula.

Ankle Joint

• Synovial hinge joint, enabling dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.
• The malleoli of the tibia and fibula restrict abduction and adduction.
• Medial (deltoid) ligament, a triangular, strong ligament.
• Lateral ligaments (anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, posterior talofibular) are weaker than the deltoid.
• A Pott fracture commonly involves the lateral and medial malleoli.

Foot Movements

• Dorsiflexion: Foot points upward (Tibialis anterior, Extensor digitorum longus, Extensor hallucis longus, Peroneus tertius).
• Plantar flexion: Foot points downward (Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Plantaris, Tibialis posterior, Flexor digitorum longus, Flexor hallucis longus).

Muscles of the Foot(Anterior and Lateral Compartments)

• Detailed descriptions of origin, insertion, nerve supply, and function for each listed muscle.

Muscles of the Foot (Posterior Compartments)

• Detailed descriptions of origin, insertion, nerve supply, and function for each listed muscle.

Foot Joints

• Subtalar joint: A compound joint that allows inversion and eversion.
• Midtarsal joint: Connects the calcaneocuboid and talonavicular joint for inversion and eversion.
• Other tarsal joints allow minimal movement.
• The arches of the foot and their supporting structures are essential for movement.

Foot Arch Support

• The arches provide stability and shock absorption during movement.
• Plantar aponeurosis, calcaneonavicular (spring ligament), plantar calcaneocuboid (short plantar ligaments) and long plantar ligaments contribute to the foot arch support.
• Tibialis anterior, posterior, and peroneus/fibularis longus actively support foot arch.

Clinical Correlates

• Pott fracture: A specific ankle injury.

Extra information

• The sole of the foot is supplied by the lateral plantar nerve.
• The medial plantar nerve supplies 4 muscles in the sole.