Lecture on the Human Ankle

Introduction

• The ankle supports the body's entire weight and allows a wide range of movements.
• The lecture will cover:
  • Bones of the foot and ankle
  • Joints of the foot and ankle
  • Focus on the ankle joint (Tibio-talar or Talocrural joint)
  • Main ligaments and muscles
• Utilizes real human cadaver images from Anatomage.

Bones of the Foot and Ankle

Views

• Frontal and lateral views are used to explain the bones.

Main Leg Bones

• Tibia: Main bone of the lower leg.
• Fibula: Second bone of the lower leg.

Tarsal Bones

• Mnemonic: "Tiger Cubs Need Milk"
  • Talus: Articulates with the tibia and fibula to form the tibio-talar joint (ankle joint).
  • Calcaneus: Heel bone, forms the subtalar joint with the talus.
  • Navicular: Between the talus and three cuneiforms.
  • Cuneiforms: Medial, intermediate, and lateral; connected to the navicular.
  • Cuboid: Articulates with the calcaneus; not cube-shaped.

Metatarsals and Phalanges

• Metatarsals: Five in total, numbered 1 (big toe) to 5 (pinky toe).
• Phalanges: Toes, with proximal, middle, and distal bones except for the big toe, which lacks a middle phalanx.

Joints of the Foot and Ankle

Main Joints

• Tibio-talar Joint (Talocrural): Hinge joint allowing dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.
• Tarsometatarsal Joint: Plane joint with minimal movement.
• Metatarsophalangeal Joints: Condyloid joints allowing free movement.
• Subtalar Joint: Plane joint allowing inversion and eversion.

Ligaments of the Ankle

Lateral View

• Lateral Collateral Ligament:
  • Anterior talofibular ligament
  • Posterior talofibular ligament
  • Calcaneofibular ligament

Medial View

• Medial Collateral Ligament (Deltoid Ligament):
  • Anterior tibiotalar ligament
  • Posterior tibiotalar ligament
  • Tibiocalcaneal ligament
  • Tibionavicular ligament

Tibiofibular Ligaments

• Anterior and Posterior Tibiofibular Ligaments: Stabilize the tibia and fibula.

Muscles of the Ankle

Movements

• Plantar Flexion: Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Plantaris
• Dorsiflexion: Tibialis Anterior
• Inversion: Tibialis Anterior and Posterior
• Eversion: Fibularis Brevis, Longus, and Tertius

Key Muscles

• Gastrocnemius: Origin on femur, pulls on calcaneus via Achilles tendon.
• Soleus: Origin on tibia, also pulls on calcaneus.
• Tibialis Anterior: Origin on tibia, insertion on first metatarsal and medial cuneiform.
• Fibularis Muscles: Origin on fibula, insertion on metatarsals.

Study Tips

• Use mnemonics like "Tiger Cubs Need Milk" for memorization.
• Practice with diagrams and 3D models.
• Retrieval practice with blank diagrams.

Resources and Further Learning

• Check out Anatomage for more cadaveric images.
• Free A&P Survival Guide for study strategies.
• Patreon for additional resources and diagrams.