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Anatomy Orientation:

Foot images - dorsal, plantar, anterior, posterior, distal, proximal, medial, lateral

Dorsal	Plantar	Anterior	Posterior

In the diagrams above and below, basic medical terminology and orientation are shown for the foot and ankle.

Anterior means the front of the body

Posterior means the back of the body
 

Dorsal is the top of the foot 

Plantar is the bottom of the foot
 

Distal means further from the body 

Proximal means closer to the body
 

Medial means towards the center line of the body 

Lateral means away from the center line of the body

In the images below, medial, lateral, anterior and posterior views are shown. In the medial view of the foot, the posterior tibial tendon insertion is shown. This is a common area of pain in posterior tibial tendonitis. The area of the plantar fascia insertion is the most common area of pain in plantar fasciitis. The area labeled as the Achilles tendon is a common area of pain in Achilles tendonitis. In the second image and third images, the extensor digitorum tendons are labeled.

 

The peroneal brevis tendon insertion is labeled in the second image and this is a common area of pain in peroneal tendonitis. Avulsion fractures of the base of the 5th metatarsal will have pain in this area. In the anterior view of the foot, the common area of nerve impingement is labeled. The great toe is also labeled. The most common problem at the great toe is a bunion. Osteoarthritis is also common at the great toe joint, also known as the 1st metatarsal phalangeal joint. The last image shows the posterior view of the foot and the Achilles tendon. The two areas labeled are the common areas of pain in Achilles tendonitis.

Medial	Lateral	Anterior	Posterior

Bones in the Foot

 A labeled diagram of the bones in the foot is shown on the right.  This view is from the top of the foot, a dorsal view. Ligaments attaching to the bones are also shown, but not labeled in this diagram.

A. distal phalanx of the hallux B. proximal phalanx of the hallux  C. distal phalanges D. intermediate phalanges E. proximal phalanges F. 1st metatarsal G. lesser metatarsals H. medial cuneiform I. intermediate cuneiform J. lateral cuneiform K. styloid process L. cuboid M.navicular N. talus O. calcaneus

 

A labeled diagram of the bones in the foot is shown on the left. This view is from the bottom of the foot, a plantar view. Ligaments attaching to the bones are also shown, but not labeled in this diagram.

A. distal phalanx of the hallux B. proximal phalanx of the hallux C. distal phalanges D. intermediate phalanges E. proximal phalanges F. 1st metatarsal G. lesser metatarsals H. medial cuneiform I. intermediate cuneiform J.  lateral cuneiform K. styloid process L. cuboid M. navicular N. talus O. calcaneus P. sesamoid

Description of the foot bones

 
Phalanges: The bones in the toes are called phalanges.

Metatarsals: The bones in the middle of the foot are called metatarsal bones.

Cuneiforms: There are three bones in the middle of the foot, towards the center of the body called cuneiforms.

Cuboid: The bone sitting adjacent to the cuneiforms on the outside of the foot is called the cuboid.

Navicular: This bone sits behind the cuneiforms.

Talus: Also called the ankle bone, the talus sits directly behind the navicular.

Calcaneus: Also called the heel bone, the calcaneus sits under the talus and behind the cuboid.

Tendons and Muscles in the Foot and Ankle

In the foot diagram below, the main tendons on the top of the foot are labeled. The group of tendons are called the extensor tendons and are responsible for elevating the toes and flexing the ankle up (dorsiflexion).

 

A. Extensor hallucis longus: dorsi flexes the big toe and dorsiflexes the foot (pulls up the big toe and the foot).

B. Extensor digitorum longus: dorsi flexes the small toes and dorsiflexes the foot (pulls the little toes up and pulls the foot up).

C. Extensor digitorum brevis: dorsi flexes the small toes (pulls the small toes up).

 

In the foot diagram to the right, the tendons on the lateral aspect of the foot are labeled (outside of the ankle). The peroneal longus courses under the foot and attaches on the inside of the arch. The peroneal brevis tendon attaches to the styloid process (see "K" labeled in the foot bone diagrams listed avoe. The peroneal tendons are responsible for flexing the foot down and rotating the foot out.

  

Peroneus longus: Everts and plantar flexes the foot (rotates the foot out and down). Stabilizes the arch when walking.

Peroneus brevis: Everts and plantar flexes the foot and stabilizes the foot when walking. The brevis tendon is a more powerful everter than the peroneus longus tendon.

More information on peroneal tendons and peroneal tendonitis.

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In the foot diagram to the left, the main tendons on the bottom of the foot are labeled. The flexor tendon group is responsbile for pulling the toes down and flexing the ankle (plantarflexing).

A. Flexor hallucis longus: plantar flexes the hallux and the foot (brings the big toe toe and flexes the foot down).

B. Flexor hallucis brevis: plantar flexes the hallux (brings the big toe down).

C. Flexor digitorum longus: plantar flexes the toes and the foot (brings the little toes down and flexes the foot down).

D. Posterior tibialis: inverts and plantar flexes the foot (brings the foot in and down). 
More information on the posterior tibial tendon and posterior tibial tendonitis.

The image on the right shows a better view of the posterior tibial tendon. The posterior tibial tendon originates in the back of the leg and courses around the inside of the ankle to attach on the inside and bottom of the arch. The main attachment is on the navicular, a tarsal bone in the midfoot, labeled in the image on the right, but the tendon extends across the base of the foot. The posterior tibial tendon is a powerful inverter of the foot and one of the main structures which supports the arch. In individuals with faulty foot mechanics, specifically over pronation and arch collapse, the posterior tibial tendon can become stressed and torn. This results in tendonitis and posterior tibial tendinosis, also called adult acquired flatfoot. More information on posterior tibial tendinosis and adult acquired flatfoot.

Achilles tendon: plantar flexes the foot (brings the foot down and assists in "push off" when walking). The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. In individuals with tight calf muscles and those with over pronation and/or play sports which involve quick sprints or jumping, the Achilles tendon can become over stressed and torn, leading to inflammation and pain. 
More information on Achilles tendonitis.

Plantar fascia: long ligament-type structure which supports the longitudinal arch when walking. In the image to the right there are three bands, the medial, central and lateral band. 
The plantar fascia is one of the main structures which supports the arch (along with the posterior tibial tendon). In those with faulty foot mechanics, most commonly over pronation, the plantar fascia can become over stressed, stretched and experience microscopic tears leading to inflammation and pain. Chronic aggravation of the fascia can lead to plantar fasciosis, a degenerative condition. More information on plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciosis. Products for heel and arch pain.

Ankle Ligaments

In the ankle images below, the image on the left shows the medial ankle ligaments are shown. These ligaments give support to the inside of the ankle (medial ankle joint). There are four ligaments which make up the deltoid ligament:

    •    posterior tibiotalar ligament
    •    tibiocalcaneal ligament
    •    tibionavicular ligament
    •    anterior tibiotalar ligament

In the ankle image on the right, the lateral ankle ligaments are shown. These ligaments give support to the outside of the ankle (lateral ankle joint). There are three ligaments on the lateral aspect of the ankle joint.

    •    anterior talofibular ligament
    •    calcaneofibular ligament
    •    posterior talofibular ligament

The posterior talofibular ligament is not visible in this diagram. The ligament sits under the peroneal tendons. It attaches to the fibula and extends to the back of the ankle and attaches to the talus. The lateral ankle ligaments are the most commonly torn in ankle sprains. More information on 
ankle sprains.

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Neurovascular Structures in the Foot

 "Neuro" refers to nerve and "vascular" refers to the veins and arteries, hence the term neurovascular. In the foot diagram on the right the nerves are represented by the yellow structures, the arteries are represented by the red structures and the veins are represented by the blue structures. Nerves carry sensory and movement information to and from the brain. Arteries carry blood with oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the feet. Veins carry blood without oxygen or nutrients and with CO2 and byproducts from the feet back to the heart.

Nerve impingement


The foot diagram to the left shows the sensory nerves in the foot. The main nerves which control movement in the foot, branch much higher in the leg. The three nerves shown here are:

    •    superficial peroneal nerve

    •    dorsal intermediate cutaneous nerve

    •    dorsal medial cutaneous nerve

The superficial peroneal nerve branches off the common peroneal nerve which wraps around the knee. The common peroneal nerve is a branch off the sciatic nerve. More information on nerve impingement. Products to help nerve impingement.

 

 

Great Toe Joint

The great toe joint is called the 1st metatarsal phalangeal joint, or 1st MPJ. The joint consists of the 1st metatarsal and the proximal phalanx. The hallux is the big toe and is composed of the distal phalanx and proximal phalanx. The lateral collateral and sesamoid ligaments help to stabilize the joint. The sesamoid are small bones under the great toe which function like ball bearings. Some individuals develop sesamoiditis, pain and inflammation around these small bones. More information on sesamoiditis. Products designed to treat sesamoiditis.

Toenail Anatomy

The toenail provides protection to the tips of the toes and can also enhance sensation to the area. main function of the toenail is to provide protection to the tips of the toes. The nail unit consists of the nail plate, nail fold, lunula, cuticle and hyponychium. In the image to the left, the nail plate, nail fold, nail matrix and distal phalanx are labeled. The nail plate is known as the "nail."  The nail plate is composed of mostly keratin and the growth comes from the nail matrix. The nail matrix is known as the "nail root" and is covered and protected by the proximal nail fold. For more images and details on the anatomy of the nail, see our toenail anatomy page.

 

Biomechanics: information on foot function and the mechanics of the foot. Definitions for dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, eversion, supination and pronation.

Terminology/medical dictionary: definitions of medical terms and structures relating to the foot and ankle.

Toenail Anatomy: Diagrams, illustrations and descriptions of the toenail.


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last updated 6/28/10

Copyright: Most of the images on this page are copyright Primal Pictures and are not the property of Northcoast Footcare, Inc.

Disclaimer: The advice on this website is not intended to substitute for a visit to your health care provider. We will not be held liable for any diagnosis made or treatment recommended. Consult your doctor if you feel you have a medical problem

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