In: Categories » » Human body » The tibiofibular joint is a synovial joint between the lateral condyle
1. The tibiofibular joint is a synovial joint between the lateral condyle of the tibia and the head of the fibula. Note this joint.
2. Note that the tibia and fibula are joined by the interosseous membrane. Clean the surfaces of this membrane.
3. Next examine the tibiofibular syndesmosis. Clean the anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligaments, and examine them.
Ankle Joint
Review the tendons in relation to this joint and define the capsule which is thin in front and behind.
1. Note on the medial side the attachment of the medial (deltoid) ligament which fans out from the medial malleolus of the tibia to the navicular bone, plantar calcaneonavicular ligament, neck of talus, sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus and to the body of the talus.
2. Identify on the lateral side the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular and posterior talofibular ligaments.
3. Cut through the calcaneal tendon, the capsule and ligaments. Separate the foot from the leg and examine the articular surfaces.
4. Observe that the superior (trochlear) articular area of the talus is wider in front. This helps to lock the ankle joint in dorsiflexion.
5. Examine the tibiofibular mortise and also the interosseous ligament of the inferior tibiofibular joint.
Arches of the Foot
1. Identify the medial and lateral longitudinal arches of the foot, bearing in mind that the differences in the heights of the medial and lateral arches are a reflection of their functional differences.
2. Observe that the calcaneus forms the posterior pillar while the heads of the metatarsals form the anterior pillar.
3. The transverse arch is obvious across the bases of the metatarsal bones. This forms only half an arch.
4. Try to understand the part played by the following in the maintenance of the arches:
(a)bony configuration;
(b) ligaments, particularly the plantar ligaments;
(c) long tendons and the intrinsic muscles of the foot; and
(d) plantar aponeurosis (the central part).
Joints of the Foot
1. Clean and define the various dorsal and plantar ligaments by removing the muscles and tendons of the foot. Note that the ligaments on the dorsum of the foot are weak while those on the plantar surface are thick and strong.
2. On the plantar surface, examine the long plantar ligament stretching between the plantar surface of the calcaneus, the tuberosity of the cuboid and the adjacent bases of the lateral three metatarsal bones thus bridging the fibularis longus tendon. Cut this ligament and define the plantar calcaneocuboid ligament which lies deep to the long plantar ligament.
Subtalar Joint
Clean the capsule and the medial and lateral talocalcanean ligaments of the subtalar joint on the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively. Cut the ligaments.
Talocalcaneonavicular Joint
1. On the plantar surface, clean the important plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament of the talocalcaneonavicular joint. Note that this ligament stretches between the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus and the plantar surface of the navicular. Cut the ligament and verify that it contains a cartilaginous facet articulating with the head of the talus.
2. Open the joint on the dorsum and medial side and examine the strong interosseous talocalcanean ligament which extends between the neck of the talus and the upper anterior part of the calcaneus. This ligament is important in inversion and eversion of the foot. Cut the ligament in order to free the talus.
Calcaneocuboid Joint
Note the capsule. Open the joint on its dorsum and observe the corresponding articular surfaces. What strong ligaments lie beneath this joint?
Transverse Tarsal Joint
1. Note that the transverse tarsal joint is formed by the talocalcaneonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints which lie in the same transverse plane. What movements are possible at these joints?
2. Note the presence of plantar, dorsal and interosseous ligaments in relation to the other smaller joints of the foot. Metatarsophalangeal and Interphalangeal Joints
1. Examine the capsule and the thickened plantar and collateral ligaments at the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. Cut the capsules on the dorsal surface and examine the articular surfaces.
2. Examine the four deep transverse metatarsal ligaments that unite the plantar ligaments of the adjoining metatarsophalangeal joints. These ligaments hold the metatarsal heads together. Dorsal to the ligaments are the interosseous muscles, whereas the lumbricals and digital nerves and vessels are on the plantar surface.
Summary
The ankle joint is a hinge joint in which the range of plantar flexion is greater than dorsiflexion. In addition, there is some degree of side to side movement possible in the plantar flexed position. Since the line of weight falls in front of the ankle joint, there is a tendency for the tibiofibular mortise to slide forwards on the trochlear surface of the talus. This is resisted by the strongest posterior parts of the medial and lateral ligaments which are directed downwards and backwards. During dorsiflexion, the widest anterior part of the trochlea comes in contact with the narrowest, posterior part of the tibiofibular mortise. As a result, no side to side movement is possible. It must be appreciated that the foot serves as a propulsive organ during locomotion and as a supporting pedestal during weight bearing. Consequently, the foot is constructed so as to meet these demands. The foot possesses longitudinal and transverse arches. The medial longitudinal arch is higher and more suited for propulsive efforts, whereas the lateral arch is flattened and suited for weight bearing. The transverse arch runs across the distal parts of the tarsals and bases of the metatarsals. Each foot forms only half of the transverse arch, the other half being completed by the opposite foot. The transverse arch helps in both propulsion and weight transmission. The bones moiety contribute to the formation of the arches of the foot, while the maintenance of these arches depends on:
(a) intersegmental ties, i.e. ligaments extending between adjacent bones, as well as ties between anterior and posterior pillars;
(b) tendons passing under the highest point of the arch and supporting it from below; and
(c) tendons which suspend the arches from above. In addition, the muscles of the sole act as extensile ligaments. Since the foot is also an organ which can adapt itself while walking along uneven surfaces, some degree of mobility must be permitted between the bones of the foot without, however, weakening its main functions of support and propulsion. In this connection the amount of movement, i.e. inversion and eversion, permitted at the subtalar and midtarsal joints must be comprehended. It must also be noted that inversion is maximal during plantar flexion and eversion during dorsiflexion of the foot. The association of eversion with dorsiflexion of the foot is perhaps due to the fact that the evertors were originally a part of the extensor group. This also explains their common nerve supply.
legal notice
Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article. Web-articles is a free articles resource.
Suggestion: If you need fresh, daily updated content for your website, feel free to use our service. Click here for more information.
Useful tools and features
If you like this article (tutorial), please link to it from your web page using the information above.
related articles
Gross anatomy is largely clinically oriented and in a sense can be termed clinical anatomy. A true understanding of gross anatomy depends upon the basic science of human structure; it depends upon knowing how apparently complex gross anatomy results from the very simple anatomy of the early embryo; how that apparently complex anatomy is related to function, e.g. biomechanical function; and how complex anatomy is related to evolution. Gross anatomy forms the foundation for procedures in diagnosis and treatment, in radiolo...
2. The human cadaver and needed instruments for dissection
The Cadaver When you are assigned to a cadaver, you assume responsibility for its proper care. You will find that the body has already been embalmed with a suitable preservative fluid. Occasionally the arteries have been injected with a red colouring dye. The whole body has been kept moist by adequate wrappings. Uncover only those parts of the body to be dissected. Inspect every part periodically, and renew and moisten the wrappings as the occasion demands. Do not leave any part exposed to the air needlessl...
3. Cleaning muscles nerves and arteries
Techniques of Dissection Before you begin to dissect, it is essential that you read these instructions: Reflection of skin You are given the exact position of every skin incision you have to make. Cut through the skin, remembering that it is rarely more than 2mm thick. A decrease in resistance as you cut will tell you when you reach the subcutaneous tissue. To detach the skin from the subcutaneous tissue, use stout forceps to grip the angle where two incisions meet, and cut with your...
4. STRUCTURES ENCOUNTERED DURING HUMAN BODY DISSECTION
Having studied the techniques of dissection, it will be useful to you to note some of the structures that you will encounter during dissection. In dissecting the human body you will come across various structures such as skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, lymph vessels and nodes, nerves, bones, joints and organs. Skin The skin forms the outer covering of the body and is composed of a superficial layer, the epidermis, and a deep layer, the dermis. The skin is ...
Terminology For the purpose of description the body is considered to be in the anatomical position. In this position the subject is assumed to be standing, the feet together, the arms to the side, and with the head and eyes and the palms of the hands facing forwards. To ensure consistency of description, it is important to keep the anatomical position constantly in mind. The position of structures relative to each other in the body is defined in relation to the following planes: The Median Plane: This is the ba...
6. Examine the joints of the shoulder girdle
JOINTS OF SHOULDER REGION AND BACK OF FOREARM AND HAND Examine the joints of the shoulder girdle: 1. The sternoclavicular joint: Detach the tendinous sternal head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Note the capsule. Detach the subclavius from its costal origin. Look for the important costoclavicular ligament that extends from the inferior surface of the medial end of the clavicle to the first rib and costal cartilage. This is an accessory ligament of the joint. It prevents excessive forward an...
7. JOINTS OF FREE UPPER LIMB
JOINTS OF FREE UPPER LIMB 1. Elbow and Proximal Radioulnar Joints These joints are described together as they have a common capsule and synovial cavity. 1. Note the intimate relationships of the brachialis and triceps muscles to the anterior and posterior parts of the elbow joint respectively, and the supinator to the proximal radioulnar joint. Remove these muscles and then remove the flexor and extensor muscles from their epicondylar origins. Take care so as not to damage the capsule of the elbow joint ...
8. Lower limb in human body
Lower Limb INTRODUCTION Human beings are unique among the primates in that they have adopted a bipedal mode of locomotion which has produced a substantial advantage over the older, more stable, quadrapedal gait. Bipedalism brings the advantage of a greater range of vision and frees the hands for the use of and for making tools and carrying food. As a result of bipedal locomotion, the weight of the body is transmitted to the lower limb via the pelvis. This has brought about several specialisations in th...
9. Human body MEDIAL SIDE OF THE THIGH
MEDIAL SIDE OF THE THIGH 1. Identify and clean the gracilis which is a strap-like muscle passing from the pubic bone to the medial side of the upper end of the tibia. Next detach the gracilis muscle from its origin and reflect it downwards. 2. Now turn your attention to the adductor muscles which are arranged in three layers. The pectineus arises from the superior ramus of the pubis and is inserted into the back of the femur below the lesser trochanter. The adductor longus arises by a tendon from the body o...