The tibia is the largest bone in the lower leg and bears weight. The fibula is smaller and non-weight bearing but forms part of the ankle joint. The talus bone transmits forces from the heel to the lower leg and allows ankle movement. The talocrural joint is formed by the tibia, fibula, and talus, allowing hinge-like up and down motion of the foot. The subtalar joint connects the talus to the heel bone and allows side to side motion. Ligaments including the deltoid on the inside of the ankle provide stability.

1. ANKLE ANATOMY

2. Ankle
•Anatomical Structures
–Tibia
–Fibular
–Talus
–

3. Tibia
•This is the strongest largest bone of the lower leg. It bears weight and
the bone creates the medial malleoli .

4. The Tibia is the medial
bone and largest bone of
the lower leg.Tibia

5. Fibula
•This is a smaller lateral bone of the lower leg. It is not vital for weight
bearing yet it comprises the lateral (outside) aspect of the malleoli and
makes up the lateral aspect of the mortise.

6. Fibula--->
The fibula is longer
and non weight
bearing. It makes
up the lateral
aspect of the
mortise. The
lateral malleoli lies
inferior (below) the
medial malleoli
_______________________

7. Talus
•This bone transmits the forces from the calcaneus up into the tibia
and also allows the articulations of Plantar Flexion, Dorsiflexion or
pulling the foot upward and Inversion and Eversion

8. ------ Talus

9. Talocrural Joint
•The formation of the mortise (a hole) by the medial malleoli (Tibia) and
lateral malleoli (fibula) with the talus lying in between them makes up
the talocrural joint. This is a hinge joint and allows most of the motion
with plantarflexion and dorsiflexion.

10. ________________
________________
Talocrural Jt.

11. Subtalar Joint
•The articulation between the talus and the calcaneus is referred to as
the subtalar joint.

12. calcaneus
Talus
---Subtalar Joint
Medial aspect of foo

13. Ankle Ligaments
•There are three lateral ligaments predominantly responsible for the
support and maintenance of bone apposition (best possible fit). These
ligaments prevent inversion of the foot.
•These ligaments are:
–Anterior talofibular ligament
–Calcaneofibular ligament
–Posterior talofibular ligament

14. Talus
Fibula
Tibia
Ant. Talofibular Ligament
A
nt.Tibiofibular
Lig.

15. Post. Tibiofibular Lig.
<- Fibula
<- Ant. Talofibular Lig
<- Talus
Peroneal
Tendons
Calcaneof
Ligament
Calcaneus
 Subtalar Joint
Space
Cuboid

16. calcaneus
<-Fibular
head
Posterior
tibiofibular
Ligament
AchillesTendon
Talus
Posterior
talofibular lig.
Peroneal
tendons

17. The deltoid ligament
•This is located on the medial aspect of the foot. It is the largest
ligament but is actually comprised of several sections all fused
together. This ligament prevents (eversion) of the ankle. The deltoid
ligament is triangular in shape and has superficial and deep layers. It
is the most difficult ligament in the foot to sprain.

18. Tibia
X
X
X
Navicular ---
-- Talus
Tibialis
Posterior
Tendon
ibialis
Ant.Tendon
Deltoid
Ligament
X

19. Questions
1.Which ligament is located on the medial aspect of the foot?
A)Anterior talofibular ligament
B) Calcaneofibular ligament
C) Posterior talofibular ligament
D) Deltoid ligament
2.What is the most difficult ligament in the ankle to sprain?
A) Anterior talofibular ligament
B) Deltoid ligament
C) Posterior talofibular ligament
D) Calcaneofibular ligament
3. )What type of joint is the talocrural joint?
A)hinge B)pivot C)gliding D)planar

20. 4. “The articulation between the talus and the calcaneus is referred to
as the…………..’’
A)talocrural joint
B)subtalar joint
C)tibiofemoral joint
D)patellafemoral joint
5. which bone in the leg is weight bearing?
A)clavicula
B)scapula
C)tibia
D) femur

21. ANSWERS
• 1-D
• 2-B
• 3-A
• 4-B
• 5-C
•