The ankle joint, also known as the talocrural joint, is formed by the articulation of the distal tibia, distal fibula, and talus. It allows hinge-like movement of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. The ankle joint is stabilized medially by the medial collateral ligament and laterally by the lateral collateral ligament, each of which have multiple parts attaching to the talus, calcaneus, and navicular. The tibia and fibula are also held together at the ankle by the anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligaments.

1. The Ankle Joint
(Talocrural Joint)

2. The Ankle Joint
Also known as the
Talocrural Joint
Anterior View Ankle Joint

3. The Ankle Joint
Also known as the
Talocrural Joint
Typical synovial joint
mediallateral

4. Formed by an
articulation of the
- Distal Tibia
mediallateral

5. Formed by an
articulation of the
- Distal Tibia
- Distal Fibula
mediallateral

6. Formed by an
articulation of the
- Distal Tibia
- Distal Fibula
- Talus
mediallateral

7. Distal Tibia + Medial Malleolus
and
Distal Fibula + Lateral Malleolus
form a deep recess or
‘mortice’
for the body of the Talus
medial

8. The ankle joint is the only
‘mortice’ joint
in the body
mediallateral

9. Ligaments of the Ankle Joint

10. The ankle joint is
stabilised on the

11. Medial Collateral Ligament
The ankle joint is
stabilised on the
medial side by the

12. Lateral Collateral
Ligament
The ankle joint is
stabilised on the
lateral side by the

13. medial view of ankle joint

14. Fibula
medial view of ankle joint

15. Tibia
medial view of ankle joint

16. Talus
medial view of ankle joint

17. Calcaneu
m
medial view of ankle joint

18. Medial Collateral Ligament
Calcaneu
m
Also known as the
Deltoid Ligament
medial view of ankle joint

19. Medial Collateral Ligament
Calcaneu
m
Has two parts
- Superficial layer
- Deep layer
medial view of ankle joint

20. Medial Collateral Ligament
Calcaneu
m
The superficial layer is
triangular in shape and
has three parts
medial view of ankle joint

21. Medial Collateral Ligament
Calcaneu
m
Superficial layer has fibres from
Tibia to
- Navicular Tuberosity
medial view of ankle joint

22. Medial Collateral Ligament
Calcaneu
m
Superficial layer has fibres from
Tibia to
- Navicular Tuberosity
- Sustentaculum Tali of Calcaneum
medial view of ankle joint

23. Medial Collateral Ligament
Calcaneu
m
Superficial layer has fibres from
Tibia to
- Navicular Tuberosity
- Sustentaculum Tali of Calcaneum
- Talus
medial view of ankle joint

24. Medial Collateral Ligament
Calcaneu
m
The deep layer has
fibres from Tibia to
medial aspect of Talus
medial view of ankle joint

25. Lateral View Ankle Joint

26. Lateral View Ankle Joint
Tibia

27. Lateral View Ankle Joint
Fibula

28. Lateral View Ankle Joint
Talus

29. Lateral View Ankle Joint
Calcaneum

30. Lateral Collateral Ligament
Lateral View Ankle Joint
Has three discrete parts

31. Lateral Collateral Ligament
Lateral View Ankle Joint
Has three discrete parts
- Anterior Talofibular

32. Lateral Collateral Ligament
Lateral View Ankle Joint
Has three discrete parts
- Anterior Talofibular
- Calcaneofibular

33. Lateral Collateral Ligament
Lateral View Ankle Joint
Has three discrete parts
- Anterior Talofibular
- Calcaneofibular
- Posterior Talofibular

34. Lateral Collateral Ligament
Lateral View Ankle Joint
Has three discrete parts
- Anterior Talofibular
- Calcaneofibular
- Posterior Talofibular

35. Both Collateral Ligaments have 3 sets of fibres running from
Tibia or Fibula to
- Anterior Talus
- Posterior Talus
- Calcaneum
Medial Collateral Ligament also has fibres from
Tibia to Navicular
Summary of Collateral Ligaments

36. Additionally the Tibia and Fibula are held
together by two very strong ligaments

37. Additionally the Tibia and Fibula are held
together by two very strong ligaments
Anterior View

38. Additionally the Tibia and Fibula are held
together by two very strong ligaments
Anterior Tibiofibular
Ligament

39. Additionally the Tibia and Fibula are held
together by two very strong ligaments
Posterior ViewAnterior Tibiofibular
Ligament

40. Additionally the Tibia and Fibula are held
together by two very strong ligaments
Posterior Tibiofibular
Ligament
Anterior Tibiofibular
Ligament

41. Movement of the Ankle Joint

42. Dorsiflexion
The ankle is a hinge joint and permits
movement in one plane around a single axis
Dorsiflexion is when
the foot is moved
upwards away from
the ground

43. Plantarflexion
Plantarflexion is
when the foot is
moved downwards
into the ground

44. Plantarflexion
To help you
remember the
direction think of
plantarflexion as
‘planting your feet’
into the ground