Lower Leg Anatomy.

 Lower leg anatomy


The lower leg extends from the knee to the ankle. This area is commonly referred to as the calf.

Lower leg bones

Tibia. Also called the shin bone, the tibia is the longer of the two bones in the lower leg. It acts as the main weight-bearing bone of the leg.

Fibula. The fibula is located next to the tibia. It mainly serves as an attachment point for the muscles of the lower leg.

Lower leg muscles

Gastrocnemius. This is one of the main muscles in the calves. It allows for a type of movement called plantar flexion in the ankle. This allows the toes to point downward.

Soleus. This large muscle is located behind the gastrocnemius. It also helps with plantar flexion.

Plantaris. This is a small muscle in the back of the lower leg. Like the gastrocnemius and soleus, it’s involved in plantar flexion.

Tibialis muscles. These muscles are found on the front and back sides of the lower leg. The muscles in the front allow for dorsiflexion. This involves pointing the toes upward. The muscles in the back help with plantar flexion and supporting the arch of the foot.

Peroneus muscles. These muscles are located on the front side of the lower leg. They help with dorsiflexion.

Other important structures

Fibular nerves. Fibular nerves stimulate the muscles of the front part of the lower leg.

Tibial nerves. These nerves are branches of the sciatic nerve. This is one of the main nerves in the leg. Tibial nerves stimulate muscles in the back of the lower leg.

Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon attaches the muscles of the calves to the bones of the ankle and foot.

Ankle anatomy

The ankle is a joint that connects the lower leg to the foot. Its main function is to allow for plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the foot.

Ankle bones

The ankle is made off the tibia and fibula of the leg as well as the talus of the foot.

Ankle ligaments

The ankle contains two groups of ligaments:

the medial ligaments, sometimes called the deltoid ligaments, in the inner ankle

the lateral ligaments, in the outer ankle

Both groups of ligaments help stabilize the ankle and prevent it from turning too far inward or outward.

Foot anatomy

The feet are made up of many bones, muscles, and ligaments. In fact, nearly one-quarter of the bones in the body are found in the feet.

Foot bones

Tarsals

The tarsal bones are found near the ankle, in the middle of the foot, where they form an arch. The seven tarsal bones are the:

talus

calcaneus

navicular

cuboid

medial cuneiform

intermediate cuneiform

lateral cuneiform

Metatarsals

The metatarsal bones are found between the tarsal and phalange bones.

The five metatarsals are the:

first metatarsal

second metatarsal

third metatarsal

fourth metatarsal

fifth metatarsal

Phalanges

These are the bones that make up the toes. There are 14 of them in each foot. Except for the big toe, each toe has three phalanges, known as the:

proximal phalanges

middle phalanges

distal phalanges

The big toes only have proximal and distal phalanges.

Sesamoids

Sesamoids are bones that are embedded in tendons. They’re found in multiple joints throughout the body.

There are two small sesamoids in the ball of the foot. They help absorb weight and help give a mechanical advantage to the tendon.

Foot muscles

Each foot contains more than 20 muscles that provide support and allow for a range of movements.

Some of the main muscles of the foot include the:

Extensors. These help raise the toes upward.

Flexors. These help the toes curl inward.

Tibialis posterior. This supports the arch of the foot.

Tibialis anterior. This allows the foot to move upward.

Tibialis peroneal. This controls movement of the outer ankle.

Foot ligaments

The ligaments of the foot help hold together the bones that support the arch. The main ligaments of the foot include the:

Plantar fascia. This is the longest ligament in the foot. It runs from the heel to the toes, forming the arch.

Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament. This ligament is found in the sole of the foot, where it connects the calcaneus and the navicular bones.

Plantar calcaneocuboid ligament. This ligament helps the plantar fascia support the foot’s arch. It also connects the calcaneus and tarsal bones.
















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