Tibiofibular Joints and Skeleton of the Foot

Tibiofibular Joints and Skeleton of the Foot

Tibiofibular Joints

The tibiofibular joints are composed of three parts, each with its distinct characteristics and functional significance:

  • Superior Tibiofibular Joint: This is a plane synovial joint located between the lateral condyle of the tibia and the head of the fibula. Superior Tibiofibular Joint
  • Middle Tibiofibular Joint: Known as syndesmosis, this is a fibrous joint where the interosseus membrane connects the shafts of the tibia and fibula along their length. Middle Tibiofibular Joint
  • Inferior Tibiofibular Joint: Another syndesmosis, this joint connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula, contributing to the stability of the ankle. Inferior Tibiofibular Joint

Anatomy of the Tibia and Fibula

  • Tibia: Carries body weight to the foot. Tibia Anatomy

    • Anterior Border of Tibia Anterior Border of Tibia
    • Interosseus Border of Tibia Interosseous Border of Tibia

  • Fibula: Provides muscle attachment. Fibula Anatomy

    • Interosseus Border of Fibula Interosseous Border of Fibula

Key ligaments associated with these bones:

  • Anterior Tibiofibular Ligament Anterior Tibiofibular Ligament
  • Lateral Malleolus Lateral Malleolus
  • Medial Malleolus Medial Malleolus

Skeleton of the Foot

The foot is composed of several bones that can be categorized into three groups: tarsal bones, metatarsals, and phalanges. Each of these bones plays an essential role in the structural integrity and movement of the foot.

Tarsal Bones

  • Calcaneus: The largest tarsal bone that transmits most of the weight from the talus to the ground. Calcaneus
  • Talus: The only tarsal bone that articulates with the leg bones; no muscle attaches to the talus.
    • Parts: Trochlea, Neck, Head Parts of Talus: Trochlea, Neck, Head
  • Navicular Navicular
  • Cuboid Cuboid
  • Medial Cuneiform Medial Cuneiform
  • Intermediate Cuneiform Intermediate Cuneiform
  • Lateral Cuneiform Lateral Cuneiform

Metatarsals (5)

  • The long bones in the foot, numbered I to V, from the medial (big toe) to the lateral (little toe) sides. Metatarsal Bones
    • Base, Shaft, Head Base, Shaft, Head of Metatarsals

Phalanges

  • Proximal Phalanges (5) Proximal Phalanges
  • Middle Phalanges (4) Middle Phalanges
  • Distal Phalanges (5) Distal Phalanges

Arches of the Foot

The foot has two main arches, which act as shock absorbers:

  • Medial Longitudinal Arch: Formed by the calcaneus, talus, navicular, medial cuneiform, and the 1st metatarsal.
  • Lateral Longitudinal Arch: Made up of the calcaneus, cuboid, and the 5th metatarsal. Lateral Longitudinal Arch
  • Transverse Arch: Composed of the cuboid and the three cuneiforms. Transverse Arch

Ligaments and Tendons

Key ligaments and tendons supporting the foot:

  • Plantar Calcaneonavicular (Spring) Ligament Plantar Calcaneonavicular Ligament
  • Long Plantar Ligament Long Plantar Ligament
  • Short Plantar Ligament Short Plantar Ligament
  • Tibialis Anterior Tendon Tibialis Anterior Tendon
  • Tibialis Posterior Tendon Tibialis Posterior Tendon
  • Fibularis Longus Tendon Fibularis Longus Tendon
  • Fibularis Brevis Tendon Fibularis Brevis Tendon

Ankle Joint

Lateral View

The ankle joint consists of several ligaments that provide stability:

  • Posterior Talofibular Ligament Posterior Talofibular Ligament
  • Calcaneofibular Ligament Calcaneofibular Ligament
  • Anterior Talofibular Ligament Anterior Talofibular Ligament

Medial View

The medial ligaments are stronger and help in stabilizing the joint during eversion, preventing dislocation:

  • Deltoid Ligament Deltoid Ligament
    • Post. Tibiotalar Posterior Tibiotalar Ligament
    • Tibiocalcaneal Tibiocalcaneal Ligament
    • Tibionavicular Tibionavicular Ligament
    • Ant. Tibiotalar Anterior Tibiotalar Ligament

Movements of the Ankle Joint

The primary movements at the ankle joint are dorsiflexion and plantar flexion:

  • Dorsiflexion: Performed by the muscles of the anterior compartment. Dorsiflexion
  • Plantar Flexion: Performed by the muscles of the posterior compartment. Plantar Flexion

Injuries

  • Ankle Sprains: Often involve lateral ligament sprains with foot inversion. Ankle Sprain
  • Pott Fracture: Dislocation of the ankle during forcible eversion. Pott Fracture

Joints Involved in Foot Movements

  • Interphalangeal Joints Interphalangeal Joints
  • Metatarsophalangeal Joints Metatarsophalangeal Joints
  • Talocalcaneonavicular Joint Talocalcaneonavicular Joint
  • Transverse Tarsal Joint Transverse Tarsal Joint
  • Calcaneocuboid Joint Calcaneocuboid Joint
  • Tarsometatarsal Joints Tarsometatarsal Joints
  • Subtalar Joint Subtalar Joint

Muscles of the Foot and Ankle

Anterior Compartment

  • Tibialis Anterior Tibialis Anterior
  • Extensor Digitorum Longus Extensor Digitorum Longus
  • Extensor Hallucis Longus Extensor Hallucis Longus
  • Fibularis Tertius (sometimes absent) Fibularis Tertius

Lateral Compartment

  • Fibularis Longus Fibularis Longus
  • Fibularis Brevis Fibularis Brevis

Posterior Compartment

Superficial Muscles

  • Plantaris Plantaris Muscle
  • Gastrocnemius Gastrocnemius Muscle
  • Soleus Soleus Muscle

Deep Muscles

  • Popliteus Popliteus Muscle
  • Flexor Digitorum Longus Flexor Digitorum Longus
  • Tibialis Posterior Tibialis Posterior
  • Flexor Hallucis Longus Flexor Hallucis Longus

Dorsal Muscles

  • Extensor Digitorum Brevis Extensor Digitorum Brevis
  • Extensor Hallucis Brevis Extensor Hallucis Brevis

Nerves and Arteries

Anterior Compartment

  • Deep Fibular Nerve: Supplies the muscles of the anterior leg and dorsum of the foot. Deep Fibular Nerve
  • Anterior Tibial Artery: Passes through a gap in the interosseous membrane. Anterior Tibial Artery
  • Dorsalis Pedis Artery Dorsalis Pedis Artery

Lateral Compartment

  • Superficial Fibular Nerve: Supplies the muscles of the lateral compartment. Superficial Fibular Nerve

Posterior Compartment

  • Tibial Nerve Tibial Nerve
  • Posterior Tibial Artery: With branches forming the fibular and perforating arteries. Posterior Tibial Artery
  • Fibular Artery Fibular Artery