Tibiofibular and Ankle Joints

Question 1

In which part of the tibia do fractures take longer to heal?

Answer 1

the distal third- because the blood supply is poorer

Question 2

What is the soleal line?

Answer 2

an oblique line posteriorly on the tibia that is the attachment for soleus

Question 3

Which extends further, the medial or the lateral malleolus?

Answer 3

lateral

Question 4

Why is the fibula often used in bone grafts?

Answer 4

because it is non weight bearing and highly vascular

Question 5

What type of joint is the superior tibiofibular joint?

Answer 5

a plane synovial joint - gliding movement occurs

Question 6

What type of joint is the inferior tibiofibular joint?

Answer 6

a fibrous joint (syndesmosis)

Question 7

What are the bones of the foot?

Answer 7

tarsal bones (calcaneus, talus, navicular, 3 cuneiforms and cuboid), 5 metatarsals and 14 phalanges

Question 8

Which foot bone articulates at the ankle joint?

Answer 8

talus

Question 9

Which foot bone does the achilles tendon attach to?

Answer 9

calcaneus

Question 10

Which metatarsal is commonly fractured?

Answer 10

the second metatarsal - because it is long and thin and is wedged between the 1st and 3rd so easily develops stress fractures

Question 11

What is the role of the sesamoid bones under the heads of the metatarsals?

Answer 11

create a cushioning effect and create space for nerves and vessels to run

Question 12

What type of joint is the talocrural joint?

Answer 12

a synovial hinge joint

Question 13

What is the mortise?

Answer 13

the socket at the base of the tibia and fibula formed by the medial and lateral malleoli and the inferior transverse ligament

Question 14

What is the impact on movement of having the lateral malleolus extend more distally than the medial malleolus?

Answer 14

the axis of movement is oblique so plantar flexion is associated with inversion and dorsiflexion is associated with eversion

Question 15

Why is dorsiflexion more stable than plantarflexion?

Answer 15

because the talus is wider anteriorly than posteriorly so the joint is more congruent in dorsiflexion

Question 16

What is the deltoid ligament?

Answer 16

the medial collateral ligament

Question 17

Which is stronger, the medial or lateral collateral ligament?

Answer 17

the medial

Question 18

What movements occur at the subtalar and talocalcaneonavicular joints?

Answer 18

inversion and eversion (the joints are functionally paired)

Question 19

What is the role of the spring ligament?

Answer 19

maintains the position of the talus

Question 20

What is the sinus tarsi?

Answer 20

the gap between the talus and calcaneus - contains the interosseus talocalcaneal ligament

Question 21

Why does the talus have a poor blood supply and how does it get is blood supply?

Answer 21

poor blood supply because no muscles attach - gets its blood supply through a vascular sling in the sinus tarsi

Question 22

What type of joint is the calcaneocuboid joint?

Answer 22

a plane synovial joint

Question 23

Why joints allow pronation and supination?

Answer 23

subtalar and TCN + calcaeneocuboid

Question 24

What arches are present in the foot?

Answer 24

medial and lateral longitudinal and transverse

Question 25

What supports the arches of the foot?

Answer 25

muscles, ligaments and the plantar aponeurosis