Foot & Ankle Anatomy

The human foot and ankle joint consists of 28 bones and is a complex system which provides us with the ability to walk, run and jump. This part of the body is able to adapt to uneven terrain, provide shock absorption and allow for even and stable mobility during the gait (walking) cycle.

To gain a deeper understanding of foot and ankle anatomy, our collection of anatomical charts and posters provides clear, detailed illustrations that will enrich your learning experience. Whether you’re a student, lecturer, or healthcare professional, these visual tools can help make complex concepts easier to understand.

The ankle joint, called the talocrural joint, is formed when the end of the tibia and fibula (the two bones in the lower leg) meets a bone underneath called the talus. On the medial (inner) side of the tibia and the lateral (outer) side of the fibula are bony prominences called the malleolus. These bony landmarks are what you can feel when you touch your ankle.

The hindfoot connects the midfoot to the ankle and is made up of the talus and the calcaneus. The talus is an important bone because it has three articulations. As mentioned before, the talus articulates with the end of the tibia and fibula as well as the calcaneus and the navicular bone. This bone is important in transferring weight over the ankle joint. The calcaneus is known as your heel bone and acts as a lever during dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot. This bone has an important role in weight bearing and providing stability during walking. The calcaneus articulates with the talus and a bone called the cuboid.

The bones of the midfoot are called the navicular, cuboid, lateral cuneiform, medial cuneiform and intermediate cuneiform. The midfoot connects the forefoot to the hindfoot and helps to form the arches of the feet.

The forefoot consists of the metatarsal bones and the phalanges. The big toe is called the hallux and is unique because it contains two phalanges and one metatarsal bone. The hallux also has two small bones which sit at the base of the toe called sesamoid bones. These small bones help the toe push off the ground. The other toes are made from one metatarsal and three phalanges.

The bones of the foot articulate with each other through synovial joints. A synovial joint allows for smooth motion between adjacent bones. There are intertarsal joints, tarsometatarsal joints, metatarsophalangeal joints and interphalangeal joints.

There are three compartments of the lower leg which contain muscles that insert into the foot. These are all extrinsic muscles because these muscles are located in the lower leg.

Extrinsic muscles of the foot and ankle:

• Anterior: The anterior (front) compartment contains the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus and peroneus tertius. The main job of this compartment is to dorsiflex the ankle. However, the extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus also extend the toes. Peroneus tertius everts and externally rotates the foot.
• Lateral: The lateral (outer) compartment contains peroneus longus and peroneus brevis which evert and plantarflex the foot.
• Posterior: The superficial posterior (rear) compartment contains the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris. The gastrocnemius inserts into the calcaneus where is becomes the Achilles tendon. This tendon assists the gastrocnemius and the soleus with plantarflexion and also has a role in stabilising the foot and ankle.

There is also a deep posterior compartment which contains the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus. The primary role of muscles in the posterior compartment is to plantarflex the ankle.

Intrinsic muscles of the foot and ankle: 

Intrinsic muscles of the foot and ankle are muscles which are located within the foot itself. These muscles can be split into dorsal (top of the foot) and plantar (base of the foot) muscles.

• Dorsal: The dorsal muscles consist of extensor digitorum brevis which extend the toes, four dorsal interossei muscles, and extensor hallucis brevis which extends the big toe.
• Plantar: The first layer of muscles includes the abductor hallucis, which abducts the big toe, the flexor digitorum brevis, which flexes the second to fifth toe and the abductor digiti minimi, which abducts the fifth toe.

The second layer includes quadratus plantae which flex the furthest phalanges and the four lumbricals which flex the joints between the phalanges and the metacarpals. The third layer includes hallucis brevis which flexes the big toe, the oblique and transverse head of adductor hallucis which adducts the big toe and flexor digiti minimi brevis which flexes the fifth toe. The fourth layer includes three plantar interossei muscles which adduct the toes.

Our realistic anatomical foot and ankle models offer an invaluable learning experience by accurately depicting the bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles of this complex structure. Whether you're a medical student, lecturer, or healthcare practitioner, these models provide hands-on study opportunities that enhance understanding of movement and function.

A ligament is fibrous connective tissue which attaches bone to bone. The ligaments within the ankle joint stabilise the ankle and resists against excessive movement and rotational stress.

• Medial collateral ligament (MCL): attaches to the medial malleolus and the calcaneus, talus and navicular.
• Lateral collateral ligament (LCL): consists of three separate ligaments; the anterior talofibular ligament, the posterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament.

The Lisfranc ligament stabilises the bones in the midfoot. The inter-metatarsal ligaments keep the metatarsals moving together.

The nerves in the foot allow you to feel the world you walk around by transmitting signals to your brain. The superficial peroneal nerve, deep fibula nerve, tibial nerve, sural nerve and saphenous nerve all supply innervation to the foot. These nerves originate from the sciatic nerve, a large nerve branch that branches from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down the leg to the foot. 

The ankle joint is also known as the talocrural joint. It allows the foot to dorsiflex (point upwards) and plantarflex (point downwards). This joint also allows the foot to adapt to uneven ground by providing side-to-side movement known as inversion (moving the foot inwards) and eversion (moving the foot outwards). The ankle also provides limited internal and external rotation.

The arches of the foot play an important role in helping with weight bearing, shock absorption and propulsion during everyday activities. The arches consist of the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch and the transverse arch.

Studying the foot and ankle is far more effective with high-quality visual learning tools. Our extensive collection of anatomical models, posters, and revision guides provides students and professionals with an engaging and practical way to comprehend the intricate structures of the foot and ankle. Ideal for revision, classroom teaching, or clinical practice.