Anatomical structure of the foot. Anatomy of the footpodological practice Irina Egorova educational podological center anatomy of the foot. Below are the most common foot diseases

The foot is the distal section of the human lower limb and is a complex articulation of small bones that form a unique and strong arch and serve as support during movement or standing. Bottom part of the foot that is in direct contact with the ground is called the sole (or foot), the opposite side is called back side feet. According to the structure of the foot skeleton, it can be divided into 3 parts:

  • tarsus,
  • plus,
  • phalanges of fingers.

Thanks to its multiple joints and arched design, the foot is remarkably strong, yet flexible and resilient. The main function of the foot is to hold the human body in vertical position and ensure its movement in space.

Skeleton of the foot

To understand the structure of the joints of the foot, you need to have an idea of ​​the anatomy of its bones. Each foot is made up of 26 individual bones, which are divided into 3 parts.

Tarsus:

  • talus,
  • calcaneal,
  • scaphoid,
  • lateral, intermediate and medial wedge-shaped,
  • cuboid.

Metatarsus, which consists of 5 short tubular bones located between the tarsus and the proximal phalanges of the toes.

The phalanges are short tubular bones that form the segments of the toes (proximal, intermediate and distal phalanges). All fingers, except the first, consist of 3 phalanges. The thumb has only 2 phalanges, just like on the hands.

Features of the foot joints

Intertarsal

The metatarsal bones form a whole group of joints among themselves. Let's take a closer look at them.

Subtalar

The calcaneus and talus bones take part in its formation. The joint has a cylindrical shape. The joint capsule is poorly stretched. The surfaces of the bones that form the joint are covered with smooth hyaline cartilage, along the edge of which the joint capsule is attached. Outside, the joint is additionally strengthened by several ligaments: interosseous, lateral and medial, talocalcaneal.

Talocaleonavicular

As the name implies, the articulation is formed by the articular surfaces of the talus, calcaneus and navicular bones. Located in front of the subtalar. The talus forms the head of the joint, and the other two - glenoid cavity for her. The joint is spherical in shape, but movements in it are possible only around one sagittal axis. The articular capsule is attached to the edges of the hyaline cartilage that covers the articular surfaces. The joint is strengthened by the following ligaments: talonavicular, calcaneonavicular plantar.

Calcaneocuboid

Located between the articular surfaces of the calcaneus and cuboid bones. The joint is saddle-shaped in shape, but movements are possible only around one axis. The capsule is stretched tightly and attached at the edges articular cartilage. The joint participates in the movements of the two previous joints, increasing the range of motion. It is strengthened by the following ligaments: long plantar ligament, calcaneocuboid plantar ligament.

This joint, together with the talocaleonavicular joint, is usually divided into one joint, which is called the transverse tarsal joint. The articulation line has S-shape. Both joints are separated from each other, but have one common ligament - a bifurcated one.

Wedge-scaphoid

This is a complex articulation, in the construction of which the scaphoid, cuboid and three wedge-shaped bones of the tarsus take part. All individual joints enclosed in one articular capsule, which is attached to the edges of the articular cartilages. The joint is strengthened by such ligaments and is inactive:

  • dorsal and plantar cuneiform,
  • dorsal and plantar cuboid-scaphoid,
  • dorsal and plantar wedge-cuboid,
  • dorsal and plantar intersphenoidal.

Tarsometatarsal

This group of joints connects the bones of the tarsus and metatarsus. There are three such joints:

  • between the medial wedge-shaped bone and 1 metatarsal;
  • between the lateral, intermediate cuneiform and 2-3 metatarsal bones;
  • between the cuboid and 4-5 metatarsal bones.

The first joint is saddle-shaped, the rest are flat. The line of these joints is uneven. Each joint has a separate capsule, which is attached to the edges of the articular hyaline cartilages. The joints are strengthened by the following ligaments: dorsal and plantar tarsometatarsal, interosseous metatarsal and cuneiformatatarsal.

Intermetatarsal

These are small joints that connect the bases of individual metatarsal bones. Each such joint is strengthened by ligaments: interosseous metatarsal, dorsal and plantar metatarsal. The space between the long bones of the metatarsus is called the interosseous metatarsal space.

Metatarsophalangeal

The heads of the 5 metatarsal bones and the bases of the proximal phalanges of the fingers take part in the construction of these joints. Each joint has its own capsule, which is attached to the edges of the joint cartilage; it is poorly stretched. All these joints are spherical in shape.

On the dorsal side the capsule is not strengthened by anything, there are collateral ligaments on the sides, and plantar ligaments on the plantar side. In addition, a deep transverse metatarsal ligament runs between the heads of all metatarsal bones.

Interphalangeal joints of the foot

This group of joints connects the proximal phalanges of the fingers with the intermediate ones, and the intermediate ones with the distal ones. They are block-shaped in shape. The articular capsule is thin, reinforced below by plantar ligaments, and on the sides by collateral ligaments.


Joints and ligaments of the metatarsus and phalanges of the toes

Frequent illnesses

Every day, the joints of the foot are exposed to enormous loads, supporting the weight of the entire body. This leads to frequent injuries individual components joints, which may be accompanied by inflammation and deformation. As a rule, the main symptom of diseases of the foot joints is pain, but it is difficult to immediately determine its cause, since there are many pathologies that affect these joints. Let's take a closer look at the most common of them.

Arthrosis

Deforming osteoarthritis of the joints of the feet is quite common pathology, especially among women. As a rule, the disease begins at the age of 40-50 years, although earlier cases of pathology are also found. The metatarsophalangeal joint is most often affected thumb.

This disease is often mistakenly called gout due to the similarity in the localization of the pathological process, although there is nothing in common between these ailments. Also, many associate the disease with mythical salt deposits and unhealthy diet, which also does not correspond to reality.

In fact, the formation of a lump on the joint of the thumb and deformation of other structural components foot connected with negative impact the following factors and, as a rule, develops in people genetically prone to this:

  • traumatic injuries foot skeleton in the past (bruises, fractures, dislocations);
  • some structural features of the foot, for example, in people with wide feet;
  • the presence of congenital or acquired types of deformities, for example, flat feet;
  • wearing uncomfortable and fashionable shoes that do not fit in size, high-heeled shoes;
  • overweight and obesity;
  • constant overload of the foot joints (activities that involve prolonged standing, walking, running, jumping);
  • history of arthritis;
  • endocrine and metabolic diseases;
  • congenital or acquired deformities of the joints of the legs (hip, knee, ankle), which leads to improper distribution of the load on the feet and their constant microtrauma.

The disease is characterized by 3 stages and slow but steady progression:

  • Stage 1: the patient complains of pain in the feet, which occurs after prolonged overload or at the end of the working day, quickly disappears after a few hours of rest on its own. There is no deformation as such yet, but those who are attentive to themselves may notice a minimal outward deviation of the thumb. A crunching sound also often appears when moving the joints.
  • Stage 2: now the pain appears even after normal loads and often to eliminate it, patients have to resort to treatment with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. The deformation of the toe becomes noticeable, in all patients the shoe size increases, it becomes difficult to fit, given the protruding bone and deviation of the big toe to the side.
  • Stage 3: the pain becomes constant and is not completely relieved by analgesics. The toe and the entire foot are severely deformed and partially lost support function feet.


Three stages of deforming osteoarthritis of the foot

Treatment of the disease must begin at initial stages. Only in this case can its progression be slowed down. The main treatment measures are the elimination of all risk factors and possible reasons development of arthrosis. In addition, drug therapy techniques can be used, various folk remedies, physiotherapy and physiotherapy. In case pathological process I've gone far, only surgery will help. Surgical intervention can be gentle (arthrodesis, resection of exostoses, arthroplasty) or radical (endoprosthetics).

Arthritis

Absolutely all joints of the foot can become inflamed. Depending on the causes, primary and secondary arthritis are distinguished. In the first case, the joint itself is damaged; in the second, its inflammation is a consequence of the underlying disease.


Foot deformity in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Regardless of the cause, the symptoms of arthritis are more or less similar. Patients complain about:

  • pain in the affected joints, the nature and intensity of which depend on the etiology of inflammation;
  • swelling of the affected joint or the entire foot;
  • redness of the skin over the inflamed area;
  • in some cases, signs of general malaise appear: fever, general weakness, fatigue, pain in the body muscles, sleep and appetite disturbances, skin rash;
  • dysfunction of the joint due to pain and swelling;
  • in the case of chronic arthritis - gradual deformation of the foot and partial or complete loss of its functions.


Gouty arthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe

Treatment for arthritis should first be aimed at eliminating its underlying cause. Therefore, only a specialist should engage in therapy after staging correct diagnosis. Incorrect treatment is a direct path to development chronic form inflammation and deformation of the foot joints.

Foot deformities

Foot deformities can be either congenital or acquired. They are caused by changes in the shape or length of bones, shortening of tendons, pathology of muscles, joints and ligamentous apparatus feet.

With the development of this pathology, all the arches of the foot become flattened, as a result of which its shock-absorbing abilities are impaired. Flat feet can be congenital, or can arise during human life as a result of excessive loads on the lower extremities, previous rickets, development of osteoporosis, various injuries, obesity, wearing inappropriate shoes, lesions nerve endings legs


This is what flat feet look like

Clubfoot

This is a fairly common type of foot deformity and, as a rule, is congenital. It is characterized by shortening of the foot and its supination-type position, which is caused by subluxation of the ankle. An acquired form of deformity develops due to paresis or paralysis, traumatic injuries to soft tissues or the skeleton lower limbs.

Other types of foot deformities (less common) include cauda equina, calcaneal, and cavus.

There are many more diseases that can affect the joints of the feet, such as traumatic injuries or tumors. But, as a rule, they all manifest themselves with fairly similar symptoms. Therefore, if pain, fatigue, swelling, or deformation of the foot structures develop, be sure to contact specialized assistance, since not only your health and activity, but also your life may depend on it.

The long, strong, and wide bones of the leg and foot provide stability to the body, support the weight of the body, support the body's weight, and distribute the force generated by running and jumping. Each lower limb consists of three parts: thigh, lower leg and foot. (The number of bones of the lower extremities is 30).

Shin

The largest bone in the lower leg is the tibia. It transfers body weight to the foot. The lateral and medial condyles of its proximal end articulate with femur V knee joint, and the distal end, articulating with the talus bone, forms ankle joint. The thinner fibula articulates with both ends tibia. Unlike similar bones upper limbs, these connections eliminate movement but provide stability. The lower distal ends of the tibia and fibula extend into processes called the medial and lateral malleolus, respectively. They form characteristic bony projections on either side of the lower leg.

Foot

The foot carries the weight of the entire body, keeping it in balance and preventing it from falling when walking and standing. In addition, the foot acts as a lifting mechanism that pushes the body upward during movement. Each foot consists of 26 bones (1 bone less than the hand). However, it is much less flexible and mobile than the brush. The bones of the foot are wider and flatter than the bones of the hand. They are connected big amount strong ligaments that limit movement, but enhance the role of the foot in performing body movements and supporting its weight. Despite limited mobility. the foot can easily move on both smooth and uneven surfaces.

Like the hand, the foot is made up of three types of bones.
7 bones form the tarsus. The tarsus articulates with the tibia and fibula at the ankle joint. The largest bone of the tarsus, the calcaneus, forms the heel and serves as the attachment point for the calcaneus (Achilles), a tendon that terminates the muscles of the back of the leg. In a standing position, the calcaneus and talus bones bear the full weight of the body before shifting it forward. Other tarsal bones include the scaphoid, cuboid, and medial, intermediate, and lateral cuneiform bones.
The 5 metatarsal bones form the soles of the feet. Their distal ends articulate with the toes and form the arch of the foot. I (medial) metatarsal bone is the largest and falls on it most of body weight. The tarsal and metatarsal bones, as well as the tendons and ligaments that connect them, form the arch of the foot, which raises the arch of the foot above the surface. The arched arch of the foot absorbs the forces generated by walking and running. First, the foot flattens and then returns to a curved shape. The tarsal and metatarsal bones also act as a lifting mechanism, pushing the body upward when walking and running.
The 15 phalanges of the toes are shorter and less mobile than the phalanges of the fingers. Each toe has 3 phalanges, with the exception of the big toe, which has only 2. Functionally, the toes are subordinate to the tarsus and metatarsus, used for stability of the body.

The human foot is the most important part of the musculoskeletal system. It functions like an elastic arch. It is the person who is considered the only organism in a world that has a vaulted foot structure. This anatomy of the foot is due to upright posture. As soon as man, with the course of evolution, began to walk on two legs, the foot needed to perform new functional tasks, due to which the structure of this part of the lower limbs was arched.

The foot and its joints very often suffer due to many negative mechanical factors. Among them:

  • excessive stress on the joints;
  • injuries, fractures, sprains;
  • violations metabolic processes in organism;
  • flaw useful substances in organism;
  • heavy work and standing work;
  • freezing feet and more.

The most frequent symptoms foot diseases are as follows:

  • pain syndrome;
  • swelling of tissues;
  • feeling of stiffness.

In order to cope with the disease as effectively as possible and identify its cause, it is worth understanding the anatomical structure of the foot.

Anatomy of the foot

The human foot includes 3 main components: bones, ligaments, and muscles. Each of these elements performs a number of essential functions. This allows you to maintain musculoskeletal system in working order. If the integrity of one of the structures is violated, dysfunction of the entire joint is observed.

The human foot has a rather complex bone structure. The articulation includes three sections, namely:

  • The tarsus is the leading part of the foot, which has 7 main bones in its structure - the calcaneus, talus, wedge-shaped, cuboid, navicular.
  • Metatarsus is middle section, consisting of 5 leading bones, shaped like a tube and leading to the beginning of the phalanges of the fingers. At the ends of these bones there is an articular surface. This ensures the mobility of the bones. It is this part of the foot that contributes to the correct arch of the feet.
  • Fingers - this section has 14 bones. Thanks to the correct functioning of the phalanges of the fingers, a person is able to properly maintain balance and evenly distribute body weight. The human thumb consists of 2 bones, the remaining fingers have 3 bones in their structure in the standard version.

The dice play extremely important role in the structure of the skeleton of the foot and its joints. Special attention should be paid to their location and main functions:

  • The largest bone in the foot is the heel. She takes over maximum load and is responsible for the distribution of equilibrium. It is located in the back of the foot. This bone does not apply to the ankle, but due to its work, the correct distribution of weight and pressure occurs.
  • The talus bone is smaller. She's covered cartilage tissue and at the same time enters the ankle part of the joint. Responsible for the functioning of the ligamentous apparatus. The bone itself has as many as 5 articular surfaces. All of them are covered with hyaline cartilage, which significantly reduces the friction process.
  • The cuboid bone is located on the back of the foot. By external signs reminds geometric figure- a cube, which allows you to quickly distinguish it from other bones.
  • The navicular bone is responsible for the arch of the foot. The element is located on the body of the foot itself, moving parallel to the talus bone.
  • The sphenoid bones are as close to each other as possible, providing maximum mobility. There are 3 such bones in total. Directly behind them is the scaphoid bone, and in front of them are the metatarsals.

It is worth noting that the structure and functioning of the metatarsal bones in a person at any age is the same. The initial appearance is tubular in shape with a characteristic angular bend. It is this that forms the arch of the foot.

The anatomy of human feet is not limited to just joints, bones, and ligaments. The full structure of the ankle is ensured thanks to the proper functioning of the blood vessels, nerve fibers and muscles.

The mobility of the feet is provided by joints. The following varieties are distinguished:

  • Ankle - formed by the tibia and talus bone. The ankle is presented in the form of a block. Along its edges there are ligaments, and the joint is attached to cartilage. Thanks to mobility of this joint, a person is able to freely perform any rotational movements.
  • Subtalar - represented by a low-moving joint located in the posterior compartment. It performs the work of the arch of the calcaneus and talus.
  • Talo-calcaneal-navicular - all 3 bones are a universal joint that has a specific axis of rotation. Rotational movements inward and outward are performed around this axis.
  • The tarsometatarsals are small joints, which have a specific flat shape. They have extremely limited and poor mobility. Due to the presence of multiple ligaments present in the tarsal bone, the remaining bones are actually immovably connected to each other. This helps form a solid base for the foot.
  • Metatarsophalangeal joints are low-moving joints that have a streamlined spherical shape. Responsible for bending and unbending fingers.
  • Interphalangeal - secured on the sides by ligaments, which helps ensure optimal fixation and immobility of the joint.

If we consider all the parts and components of the joint of the foot, then the ankle joint is considered the largest, since it connects 3 bones at once. Also, it is this joint that takes over heaviest load. As for other joints, they are smaller. Additionally, they provide the foot with flexibility and mobility.

Structure

The skeleton of the foot and joints is considered incomplete without muscle function. The main operating and actively working muscles are located in the ankle, foot, and lower leg. Together, the work of all muscles allows a person to fully move.

  • Calf muscles - in the front of the calf is the tibialis muscle, which is responsible for flexion and extension of the feet. Thanks to proper operation these muscles, a person has the ability to make extension movements with his fingers. This department also includes following types muscles: short and long peroneus. They take on the job that is responsible for performing lateral flexion of the foot. The back of the tibia is responsible for plantar flexion. The triceps, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles are involved here. It is this part that is subjected to serious daily stress.
  • Foot muscles - are a dorsal muscle group that is responsible for the extension of the small toes (all four small toes, except the big one). Additionally, there are several small muscles located on the sole of the foot. They are responsible for abduction, adduction and full flexion of the toes.

The human foot performs 3 main functions:

  • Support. This function is explained by the ability to easily resist and prevent reactions when vertical loads are applied. When walking, this function is pushing. This task of the foot is the most difficult, since it simultaneously uses both functions - balancing and springing. As this function worsens, a person begins to suffer from pain in the ankle when running or jumping.
  • Spring. Aimed at smoothing out shocks during physical activities (running, jumping, walking). With low arches, a person may suffer from diseases of the lower extremities and spine. Internal organs can also be injured.
  • Balancing. Aimed at adjusting the posture of the human body during movement. A healthy foot can spread out and embrace the underlying surface, thereby giving a person the opportunity to feel the area where the foot is placed.

All functions of the foot interact with each other during active physical activity. If one of the functions is violated, the remaining two are automatically violated.

Foot diseases

There are several main ailments of the feet and joints:

  • arthrosis - chronic illness joints, leading to deformation and low mobility;
  • arthritis - inflammation in a joint;
  • gout is a disease of tissues and joints that develops against the background of metabolic failure;
  • flat feet is a disease that involves a person having a flat foot that does not have a characteristic notch.

Diagnostics is necessary when the patient begins to feel any unpleasant symptoms in the form of pain, stiffness or swelling of tissues. The diagnosis is made only on the basis of clinical signs and the picture obtained during an x-ray examination. This is the minimum diagnostic basis necessary to identify the problem.

To find out a more complete picture of the disease, the doctor may prescribe a series of tests. This will help identify the inflammatory process, which may be a sign of the most various ailments. The following instrumental studies may also be prescribed:

  • CT scan of joints. This allows you to determine the condition of tissues, identify anatomical structure foot and its features, pathologies, as well as injuries. The doctor can get a complete picture of what the foot looks like thanks to the layer-by-layer images provided by the tomograph.
  • MRI of joints. With help this study the doctor can determine the presence of an inflammatory process in tissues, as well as identify the first signs of such serious diseases as osteoarthritis, gout and much more.

Other diagnostic methods, if the patient has undergone CT or MRI, are not prescribed as unnecessary.

To prevent the development of diseases of the feet and joints, patients must observe preventive measures, which are recommended by doctors.

  • If you feel pain or fatigue in your foot, you need to rest.
  • Warm-up of the feet is necessary before each excessive effort and upcoming load.
  • It is useful to walk barefoot on the grass, the main thing is to choose the safest places.
  • Comfortable shoes are also a must for healthy feet. The risk of disease increases significantly when wearing heels and unstable stilettos.
  • Feet need to be kept warm. Frequently freezing feet can lead to arthritis and other ailments.
  • Almost all doctors recommend walking more, regardless of their specialization. The ideal solution will not only go for walks, but also sometimes go swimming, cycling or skiing.
  • Nutrition is the basis of the health of the whole body. It is important to eat properly and nutritiously as a preventive measure for foot diseases.

Observe some preventive rules much easier than treating foot diseases. Maintaining healthy feet from a young age will allow you to enjoy life and maintain mobility into your later years.

If we consider the foot as a whole, then, as in any other part of the human musculoskeletal system, three main structures can be distinguished: the bones of the foot; ligaments of the foot, which hold the bones and form joints; foot muscles.

Foot bones

The foot skeleton consists of three sections: tarsus, metatarsus and toes.
Tarsal bones
The posterior part of the tarsus is made up of the talus and calcaneus, the anterior part is made up of the scaphoid, cuboid and three cuneiform bones.

Talus located between the end of the leg bones and calcaneus, being a kind of bone meniscus between the bones of the lower leg and the bones of the foot. The talus has a body and a head, between which there is a narrowed place - the neck. The body on the upper surface has an articular surface - the block of the talus, which serves for articulation with the bones of the lower leg. On the anterior surface of the head there is also an articular surface for articulation with the scaphoid bone. On the inner and outer surfaces of the body there are articular surfaces that articulate with the ankles; on the lower surface there is a deep groove separating the articular surfaces, which serve for its articulation with the calcaneus.

Calcaneus makes up the posteroinferior part of the tarsus. It has an elongated, laterally flattened shape and is the largest among all the bones of the foot. It distinguishes the body and a well-palpable tubercle protruding posteriorly calcaneus. This bone has articular surfaces that serve to articulate superiorly with the talus and anteriorly with the cuboid. There is a protrusion on the inside of the heel bone that supports the talus.

Scaphoid located at the inner edge of the foot. It lies in front of the talus, behind the sphenoid bones and inside the cuboid bones. At the inner edge it has a tuberosity of the scaphoid, facing downwards, which can be easily felt under the skin and serves identification point to determine the height of the inner part longitudinal arch feet. This bone is convex anteriorly. It has articular surfaces that articulate with adjacent bones.

Cuboid is located at the outer edge of the foot and articulates at the back with the heel, inside with the navicular and external cuneiform, and in front with the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones. Along its lower surface there is a groove in which the tendon of the peroneus longus muscle lies.

Sphenoid bones(, intermediate and) lie in front of the scaphoid, inside the cuboid, behind the first three metatarsal bones and make up the anterior internal section of the tarsus.
Metatarsus bones

Each of the five metatarsal bones is tubular in shape. They distinguish between the base, body and head. The body of any metatarsal bone is shaped like a triangular prism. Most long bone is the second, the shortest and thickest is the first. At the bases of the metatarsal bones there are articular surfaces that serve for articulation with the tarsal bones, as well as with the adjacent metatarsal bones, and on the heads there are articular surfaces for articulation with the phalanges of the fingers. All metatarsal bones are easy to palpate on the dorsal side, since they are covered with a relatively thin layer of soft tissue. The metatarsal bones are located in different planes and form an arch in the transverse direction.
Finger bones

The toes are made up of phalanges. As on the hand, the first toe has two phalanges, and the rest have three. Often the two phalanges of the fifth finger grow together so that its skeleton can have two phalanges. There are middle and phalanges. Their significant difference from the phalanges of the hand is that they are short, especially the distal phalanges.

On the foot, as well as on the hand, there are sesamoid bones. Here they are expressed much better. They are most often found in the area where the first and fifth metatarsals meet the proximal phalanges. Sesamoid bones increase the transverse arch of the metatarsus in its anterior section.

Ligamentous apparatus of the foot

The mobility of the foot is ensured by several joints - ankle, subtalar, talocaleonavicular, tarsometatarsal, metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal.
Ankle joint

The ankle joint is formed by the bones of the lower leg and the talus. The articular surfaces of the bones of the lower leg and their ankles, like a fork, cover the block of the talus. The ankle joint has a block-like shape. In this joint around the transverse axis passing through the block of the talus, the following are possible: flexion (movement towards the plantar surface of the foot) and extension (movement towards its dorsal surface). The amount of mobility during flexion and extension reaches 90°. Due to the fact that the block at the back narrows somewhat, when the foot is flexed, some adduction and abduction becomes possible. The joint is strengthened ligaments located on its inner and outer sides. The medial (deltoid) ligament, located on the inner side, has approximately triangular shape and runs from the medial malleolus towards the scaphoid, talus and calcaneus. On the outside there are also ligaments running from the fibula to the talus and calcaneus (anterior and posterior talofibular ligaments and calcaneofibular ligament).
One of the characteristic age characteristics This joint is that in adults it has greater mobility towards the plantar surface of the foot, while in children, especially newborns, towards the dorsum of the foot.
Subtalar joint

The subtalar joint is formed by the talus and calcaneus and is located in their posterior section. It has a cylindrical (somewhat spiral) shape with an axis of rotation in the sagittal plane. The joint is surrounded by a thin capsule equipped with small ligaments.
Talocaleonavicular joint

In the anterior section between the talus and calcaneus is the talocaleonavicular joint. It is formed by the head of the talus, the calcaneus (with its anterior superior articular surface) and the scaphoid. The talocaleonavicular joint has a spherical shape. Movements in it and in the subtalar joints are functionally related; they form one combined articulation with an axis of rotation passing through the head of the talus and the calcaneal tubercle. The feet also occur around this axis; range of motion reaches approximately 55°. Both joints are strengthened by a powerful syndesmosis - the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament.
One of the age-related features of the position of the bones and their movements in the joints of the foot is that with age the foot pronates somewhat and its internal arch drops. A child’s foot, especially in the first year of life, has a distinctly supinator position, as a result of which the child, when starting to walk, often places it not on the entire plantar surface, but only on the outer edge.
Tarsometatarsal joints

The tarsometatarsal joints are located between the tarsal bones and between the tarsal and metatarsal bones. These joints are small, mostly flat in shape, with very limited mobility. On the plantar and dorsal surfaces of the foot there are well-developed ligaments, among which it is necessary to note the powerful syndesmosis- a long plantar ligament that runs from the heel bone to the bases of the II-V metatarsal bones. Thanks to the numerous ligaments of the tarsal bones (scaphoid, cuboid and three cuneiform) and I-V bones the metatarsals are almost motionlessly connected to each other and form the so-called hard base of the foot.
Metatarsophalangeal joints

The metatarsophalangeal joints have a spherical shape, but their mobility is relatively low. They are formed by the heads of the metatarsal bones and the bases of the proximal phalanges of the toes. Mostly they allow flexion and extension of the fingers.
Interphalangeal joints

The interphalangeal joints of the foot are located between the individual phalanges of the fingers and have a block-like shape; on the sides they are strengthened by collateral ligaments.

Foot muscles

Muscles that are attached by their tendons to various bones foot (tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, long extensor and flexor toe muscles), but begins in the lower leg area, belongs to the muscles of the lower leg.

On rear There are two muscles on the surface of the foot: the extensor digitorum brevis and the extensor hallucis brevis muscle. Both of these muscles begin from the external and internal surfaces calcaneus and are attached to the proximal phalanges of the corresponding fingers. The function of the muscles is to extend the toes.

On plantar On the surface of the foot, the muscles are divided into internal, external and middle groups.
Internal the group consists of muscles acting on the big toe: the abductor pollicis muscle; flexor pollicis brevis and adductor pollicis muscle. All these muscles begin from the bones of the metatarsus and tarsus, and are attached to the base of the proximal phalanx of the big toe. The function of these muscles is clear from their name.


TO outdoor This group includes muscles that act on the fifth toe: the abductor of the little toe and the flexor of the little toe. Both of these muscles attach to the proximal phalanx of the fifth finger.
Average group is the most significant. It includes: the short flexor digitorum, which is attached to the middle phalanges of the second to fifth fingers; the quadratus plantae muscle, which attaches to the flexor digitorum longus tendon; lumbrical muscles, as well as dorsal and plantar interosseous muscles, which are directed to the proximal phalanges of the second to fifth fingers. All of these muscles originate on the tarsal and metatarsal bones on the plantar side of the foot, with the exception of the lumbrical muscles, which originate from the tendons of the flexor digitorum longus. All of them are involved in flexing the toes, as well as in spreading them and bringing them together.

When comparing the muscles of the plantar and dorsum of the foot, it is clear that the former are much stronger than the latter. This is due to the difference in their functions. The muscles of the plantar surface of the foot are involved in maintaining the arches of the foot and largely provide its spring properties. The muscles of the dorsal surface of the foot are involved in some extension of the toes when moving it forward when walking and running.
Fascia of the foot

In the lower section, the fascia of the lower leg has a thickening - ligaments, which serve to strengthen the position of the muscles passing under them. In front there is a ligament - the upper retinaculum of the extensor tendons, and at the transition point to the dorsum of the foot - the lower retinaculum of the extensor tendons. Under these ligaments there are fibrous canals in which the encircled tendons of the anterior group of leg muscles pass.

Between the medial malleolus and the calcaneus there is a groove through which the tendons of the deep muscles pass back surface shins. Above the groove, the fascia of the leg, passing into the fascia of the foot, forms a thickening in the form of a ligament - the retinaculum of the flexor tendons. Under this ligament are fibrous canals; in three of them there are muscle tendons surrounded by synovial sheaths, in the fourth - blood vessels and nerves.
Below the lateral malleolus, the crural fascia also forms a thickening called the retinaculum tendon. peroneal muscles, which serves to strengthen these tendons.

The fascia of the foot on the dorsal surface is much thinner than on the plantar surface. On the plantar surface there is a well-defined fascial thickening - the plantar aponeurosis, up to 2 mm thick. The fibers of the plantar aponeurosis have an anteroposterior direction and run mainly from the calcaneal tubercle anteriorly. This aponeurosis has processes in the form of fibrous plates that reach the bones of the metatarsus. Thanks to the intermuscular septa, three fibrous sheaths are formed on the plantar side of the foot, in which the corresponding muscle groups are located.

Used literature
Human anatomy: textbook. for students inst. physical cult. /Ed. Kozlova V.I. — M., “Physical Education and Sports”, 1978
Sapin M.R., Nikityuk D.K. Pocket atlas of human anatomy. M., Elista: APP "Dzhangar", 1999
Sinelnikov R. D. Atlas of human anatomy: in 3 volumes. 3rd ed. M.: “Medicine”, 1967

The anatomy of the bones of the foot almost repeats the hand and consists of the following elements:

  • tarsals;
  • heel and instep;
  • five plus feet;
  • 14 phalanges of fingers (2 for the first, but 3 for the others).

Nevertheless, the task of the foot, unlike the hand, is not grasping, but mainly supporting, and this is reflected in its structure.

The bones are rigidly connected to each other and have an elastic dome-shaped structure, which is preserved due to their special shape, as well as muscles and ligaments. The plantar ligaments tighten the edges of the foot from below, forcing it to arch upward in the form of an arch. This structure makes the foot a spring shock absorber, absorbing pressure surges during movement that act on the legs and spine.

Description of components

The skeleton of the foot has 52 bones. The joints are small and have quite complex structure. The ankle connects the foot to the lower leg, and the small bones of the lower leg are also connected by small joints.

The bases of the phalanges of the fingers and 5 metatarsal bones are fastened by joints of the same name. And each finger consists of 2 interphalangeal joints that hold together the small bones. The tarsals are connected to the central frame of the foot by the metatarsal and tarsal joints. They are secured with a long ligament of the sole, which prevents the occurrence of flat feet. The bones of the human foot consist of three parts: the tarsus, metatarsus and toes. The composition of the tarsus: behind it is formed by the talus and calcaneus, and in front by the scaphoid, cuboid and three sphenoid bones. The talus is placed between the shin bone and the calcaneus, playing the role of an adapter from the lower leg to the foot. Along with the talocaleonavicular joint, the joint connects the tarsus and back. With their help, the possibilities of foot movement increase to 55 degrees.

Movement of the foot relative to the lower leg is provided by two joints:

  1. The ankle joint itself is formed by two tibias and talus bones. It allows you to raise and lower the forefoot.
  2. The subtalar joint is located between the talus and calcaneus bones. It is necessary for bending from side to side.

A common injury is an ankle sprain, which occurs when the leg twists when a person makes a sudden change of movement or on an uneven surface. Usually the ligaments on the outside of the foot are injured.

The calcaneus belongs to the posterior lower part of the tarsus. It has a long configuration, flattened at the edges and is the most impressive in size in comparison with others and consists of a body and a tubercle of the calcaneus protruding backwards. The heel has the joints necessary to fit into the talus above and into the cuboid in front. Inside the heel bone there is a protrusion that serves as a support for the talus.

The navicular bone is located at the inner edge of the foot. It has joints that connect to the bones adjacent to it.

The cuboid bone is located at the outer edge and connects posteriorly with the calcaneus, internally with the navicular, externally with the sphenoid, and in front with the 4th and 5th metatarsals.

The toes are built from phalanges. Similar to the structure of the hand, the thumb is built from two phalanges, and the remaining fingers are made from three.

The phalanges are divided:

  • proximal,
  • average,
  • distal.

The phalanges of the foot are much shorter than the phalanges of the hand, especially the distal phalanges. It cannot compare with the hand in mobility, but its arched structure makes it an excellent shock absorber, softening the impact of the foot on the ground. The ankle of the leg has a structure that provides the mobility necessary when walking or running.

Every movement of the foot is a complex interaction of muscles, bones and joints. Signals sent by the brain coordinate the work of the muscles, and their contraction pulls the bone in a specific direction. This causes the foot to flex, extend, or rotate. Thanks to the coordinated work of the muscles in the joint, movement of the joint in two planes is permissible. In the frontal plane, the ankle does extension and flexion. IN vertical axis Rotation can be performed: slightly outward and inward.

Over the course of a lifetime, each sole hits the ground an average of more than 10 million times. With each step a person takes, a force acts on the knee, often 5-6 times greater than the weight of his body. When he steps on the ground, the anterior calf muscles pull on the tendons attached to the top of the foot and lift it along with the toes. The heel takes the blow first. As the entire foot lands on the ground, the tarsal bones form a springy arch, distributing the load of the body's weight as its pressure moves from the heel to the anterior end of the metatarsus and toes. Posterior muscles shins are pulled Achilles tendon which lifts the heel off the ground. At the same time, the muscles of the foot and toes contract, moving them down and back, resulting in a push.

Problematic issues and diseases, from calluses to arthritis, are dealt with by a podiatrist - a specialist in the treatment of feet. It also helps correct posture and gait. You can find out about everything that happens to your feet from this specialist: hygienic care, selection of optimal shoes, fungal diseases, heel pain, arthritis, vascular problems, as well as calluses, bunions and ingrown nails.

The podiatrist is also knowledgeable about the mechanics of leg movement. For example, if one of the two feet is more flattened than the other, there is an imbalance in the body, which is reflected in hip pain, and inflexibility of the big toe can affect the functioning of the spine.

What role does cartilage play?

When studying the bone structure of the leg, you need to pay attention to the cartilage. Thanks to them, joints are protected from excessive stress and friction. Their articulated ends are covered with cartilage with a very smooth surface, which reduces friction between them and absorbs shock, thereby protecting the joint from damage and wear. The heads of the bones, covered with cartilage, glide because they are elastic, and the synovial fluid produced by their membrane is a lubricant that keeps the joints in place. in good health. Shortage synovial fluid may limit a person's movement. Sometimes cartilage can also harden. In this case, the movement of the joint is greatly impaired, and bone fusion begins. This phenomenon cannot be ignored, otherwise you may lose mobility in the joints.

The Achilles or heel tendon is the longest and strongest tendon in the human body. It connects the lower end of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles with the posterior tubercle of the calcaneus. As a result, the contraction of these muscles pulls the heel up, allowing you to stand on the toe of your foot and push it off the ground when moving.

Characteristic diseases

Like any part of the body, the bones of the foot are not only subject to external influences; its condition is affected by a person’s age, when the bone structure becomes less strong and the joints are not so mobile. Let's look at the most common foot problems.

  1. Bunion of the big toe.

We are talking about inflammation of the bursa in the metatarsus of the phalangeal joint of the first toe. Women suffer from this disease more often than men, the reason is narrow high-heeled shoes, which create high blood pressure on your toes. This leads to the development of other problems such as calluses and corns. Pain and discomfort can be relieved by wearing comfortable, roomy shoes and using soft padding on the bunion to protect it from pressure. In advanced cases, surgery is recommended.

  1. Hallux valgus deformity.

The disease is manifested by bulging to the side of the metatarsus of the phalangeal joint of this finger, which deviates in the opposite direction. Often, but not always, it leads to bursitis and the formation of a lump. Sometimes this problem is passed down through generations and develops in youth. If such deformation appears only in old age, it is often caused by incipient osteoarthritis.

  1. Flat feet.

Flat feet is a thickening of the arch of the foot. It's normal inner side between the heel and metacarpophalangeal joints is curved upward. If it is not expressed, flat feet are observed. This disease occurs in approximately 20% of the adult population. Often no treatment is required. We only recommend comfortable shoes with a special insole or arch support under the arch of the foot. For older people, special orthopedic shoes are ordered. And only in the most severe cases, foot deformity is corrected surgically.

  1. Deforming arthrosis.

The disease occurs due to calcium deficiency, injuries, increased stress, and thinning of cartilage tissue and bone tissue. Over time, growths appear - osteophytes, which limit the range of movements. The disease is expressed severely mechanical pain, which intensify in the evening, subside at rest and increase with physical activity. You can slow the progression of these diseases and reduce their symptoms different ways. These include reducing stress on the affected joint and keeping it active. Shoes should be comfortable, fit well, and provide excellent arch support while minimizing vibration when moving.

People should take care of their health. Take small steps that will lead to healing and maintaining bone strength and joint mobility, using moderate physical exercise, relaxing massages or various physiotherapeutic procedures. And then your health will not let you down and will allow you to remain active and active in your older years. active image life.



Did you like the article? Share it
Print this article
Top