The basic anatomy of the lower leg, ankle, and foot. Also explores some injuries that can occur.
The foot stabalizes and supports the rest of the body while doing basic movements. Each foot has 26 bones (7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals, and 14 phalanges). The tarsal bones are made up of the talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, and the cuneiforms. The mid-foot region is made up of 5 metatarsal bones. The toes have 14 bones known as the phalanges.
They main reasons the foot functions is due to a set of three arches: Transverse arch - An arch made up of the cuneiforms, the cuboid, and the fifth metatarsal bones. Medial longitudinal arch - One of the highest arches made up of the calcaneus, talus, navicular, cuneiforms, and the first three metatarsals. Lateral longitudinal arch - An arch that is made up of the calcaneus, talus, cuboid, and the fourth and fifth metatarsals. |
Basic Anatomy of the Lower Leg
The lower leg anatomy is composed of five distinct parts: the knee joint, the shin, the calf, the ankle, and the foot. In terms of the general functions of the lower leg, all movement is initiated by either a flexion or an extension of the knee joint.
Bones - The lower leg consists of 2 bones called the tibia and fibula. The tibia is the largest bone in the lower leg and is known as the shin. Muscles - The muscles of the ankle and lower leg allow for ankle dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, eversion, and inversion. |
Common Injuries
Ankle Sprains - Is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle, this can stretch or tear the tough bands of tissue that help hold your ankle bones together.
Arch Sprains - A sprain of the arch occurs when the ligaments which hold the bones together are overstretched and the fibers tear.
Blisters - A collection of fluid underneath the top layer of skin caused by burns, friction forces, and diseases of the skin.
Great Toe Sprain (Turf Toe) - Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe joint that occurs from excessive upward bending of the big toe joint.
Plantar Fasciitis - Is inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes.
Heel Bruise - Is a contusion to the tissues under the heel.
Heel Spur - Is bony growth on the calcaneus that causes inflammation of the soft tissue.
Fractures - When bones are pushed to their limit and the bone breaks.
Contusions - Is injured tissue in which blood capillaries have been ruptured.
Strains - A stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon.
Muscle Cramps - A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle.
Achilles Tendonitis - Is an overuse of the achilles tendon.
Achilles Tendon Rupture - Is when the achilles tendon break which can occur while performing actions requiring explosive acceleration.
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints) - A pain that occurs below the knee that is caused by repetitive activity on hard surfaces or forcible excessive use of the leg muscles.
Arch Sprains - A sprain of the arch occurs when the ligaments which hold the bones together are overstretched and the fibers tear.
Blisters - A collection of fluid underneath the top layer of skin caused by burns, friction forces, and diseases of the skin.
Great Toe Sprain (Turf Toe) - Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe joint that occurs from excessive upward bending of the big toe joint.
Plantar Fasciitis - Is inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes.
Heel Bruise - Is a contusion to the tissues under the heel.
Heel Spur - Is bony growth on the calcaneus that causes inflammation of the soft tissue.
Fractures - When bones are pushed to their limit and the bone breaks.
Contusions - Is injured tissue in which blood capillaries have been ruptured.
Strains - A stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon.
Muscle Cramps - A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle.
Achilles Tendonitis - Is an overuse of the achilles tendon.
Achilles Tendon Rupture - Is when the achilles tendon break which can occur while performing actions requiring explosive acceleration.
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints) - A pain that occurs below the knee that is caused by repetitive activity on hard surfaces or forcible excessive use of the leg muscles.