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Ankle and Foot Region

About Ankle and Foot Region  |  Ankle Region  |  Rearfoot Region  |  Midfoot Region  |  Forefoot Region  | 

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  1. Lumley JSP. (2002) Surface Anatomy: the Anatomical Basis of Clinical Examination. New York: Churchill Livingstone. pp.55-63
  2. Neumann DA (2002).  Elbow and Forearm Complex.  In Neumann DA: Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Physical Rehabilitation. Philadelphia: Mosby.  Chapter 14, pp. 477-171
  3. Smith L.K., Weiss E.L., Don Lehmkuhl L., 1995. Brunnstrom's Clinical Kinesiology, 5th ed. FA Davis. Chapter 5, pp. 157-179


About Ankle and Foot Region

Functions

  • to absorb shock and impact to the body as the foot contacts the ground
  • to be able to adjust to different terrains
  • to convert transverse torque from the lower extremity
  • to become a rigid lever capable of forward propulsion
  • to provide a structural supporting platform for the body
  • to offer sensory measures of protection and guidance to the lower extremity
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    Articulations

  • ankle region
  • talocrural jointĄG ankle joint
  • superior and inferior tibiofibular joints
  • foot regionĄG all structures distal to the tibia and fibula
  • subtalar joint
  • midtarsal joint
  • 5 rays
  • 5 metatarsophalangeal joints
  • 4 proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints
  • 4 distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints
  • interphalangeal joint of big toe
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    Bones

  • ankle regionĄG distal tibia / distal fibula
  • rearfootĄG talus / calcaneus
  • midfootĄG navicular / cuboid / 3 cuneforms
  • forefootĄG5 metatarsals / 5 proximal phalanges / 4 middle phalanges / 5 distal phlanges
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    Ankle Region

    Arthrology

  • Humeroulnar joint
  • concave on convex joint proximal componentĄG hourglass-shaped trochlea (trochlea=pulley)
    distal componentĄG saddle-shaped trochlear notch / olecranon and coronoid processes
  • joint typeĄG 1 degree-of-freedom hinged joint (slight saddle shape only)
    (NoteĄG total DOF of the whole elbow complex = 2)
  • movementsĄG
  • elbow flexion
  • elbow extension
  • Articulations within the elbow and forearm region

  • Humeroradial joint
  • concave on convex joint proximal componentĄG spherical (ball-shaped) capitulum / radial fossa
    distal componentĄG cup-shaped radial head
  • joint typeĄG 1 degree-of-freedom ball-and-socket joint
  • movementsĄG
  • elbow flexion with anterior glide of the radial head on the capitulum of the humerus
  • elbow extension with posterior glide of the radial head on the capitulum of the humerus
  • Articulations within the elbow and forearm region

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    Palpable bony landmarks

  • distal humerus
    • lateral epicondyles
    • medial epiconduyle
    • axis of rotation of the elbow jointĄG the line passing through the centers of the trochlea and the capitulum of the humerus
    • shaft of the humerus
    1. With the forearm supported and the palm facing anteriorly, the lateral epicondyle is the enlarged bony prominence located at the lateral aspect of the distal humerus while the medial epicondyle is  located at the medial aspect of the distal humerus.  Note that the lateral epicondyle extends more distally than the medial one.

    2. Have the index of your right hand pointing the tip of the lateral epicondyle and that of your left hand pointing the tip of the medial one, the line connecting both indices is close to the axis of rotation of the elbow joint. Note the obliquity of this axis.

    bones within the elbow and forearm region

  • proximal ulna
    1. Bend the subject's elbow to 90º of flexion. The tip of the elbow is the olecranon process.

    2. Have the subject's elbow extended and forearm supinated.  Find and mark the longitudinal axes (midlines) on the anterior aspect of the humerus and the ulna carefully, inspect the carrying angle and measure it using the universal goniometer.

  • proximal radius
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    • head of the radius
    1. Have the subject's elbow extended.  The palpating finger moves distally and you can find a groove where is the joint line of the humeroradial joint.  The part just below this groove is the head of the radius.  Rotate the forearm slowly.  Carefully feel the round shape of the rim of the radial head.  Then, try to find it when the elbow is flexed.

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    Palpable ligaments or other collagenous tissues

  • medial collateral ligament
  • lateral collateral ligament
  • ulnar nerve
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    Palpable muscles and tendons

  • biceps brachii
  • originĄG long headĄG supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula
    short headĄG coracoid process of the scapula
  • insertionĄG radial tuberosity of the radius
  • actionsĄG elbow flexion with forearm supinatedĄF forearm supinationĄF shoulder flexion
  • innervationĄG musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C6)
  • brachiallis
  • originĄG middle area of the shaft of the  humerus
  • insertionĄG coronoid process of the ulna
  • actionsĄG elbow flexion
  • innervationĄG musculocutaneous nerve (C5-C6)
  • brachiradialis
  • originĄG a ridge on the humerus above the lateral epicondyle
  • insertionĄG styloid process of the radius
  • actionsĄG elbow flexion
  • innervationĄG radial nerve (C5-C6)
    1. Have the subject's elbow flexed and forearm supinated.  The tendon of the biceps brachii is identified in the antecubital fossa. Make a fist and see the contraction of the biceps brachii.

    2. Grasp the tendon of the biceps brachii and then move your fingers up to the lower 1/4 end of the humerus.  Have the forearm rest on the lap and pronated in order to relax the biceps.  Have the subject bend the elbow isometrically with as little effort as possible.  You can feel the contraction of the brachialis.

    3. Have the subject bend the elbow to 90º of elbow flexion and the forearm in the midposition of pronation and supination.  Give resistance to elbow flexion, and the you can see the whole contour of the brachioradialis on the forearm.  Feel the full course of this muscle.

  • triceps brachii
  • originĄG long headĄG infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula
    medial headĄG posteromeidal portion of the shaft of the humerus
    lateral headĄG posterolateral portion of the shaft of the humerus
  • insertionĄG olecranon process of the ulna
  • actionsĄG elbow extension and shoulder extension
  • innervationĄG radial nerve (C7-C8)
  • anconeus
  • originĄG lateral epicondyle of the humerus
  • insertionĄG olecranon process of the ulna
  • actionsĄG elbow extension
  • innervationĄG radial nerve (C7-C8)
    1. Have the subject elevate the arm to 150º of shoulder abduction and bend the elbow to 90º of flexion.  The triceps brachii can be identified in the posterior aspect of the humerus when the resistance is given to extension of the elbow.

    2. Have the subject bend the elbow to 90º of flexion.  The anconeus is palpated between the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and the olecranon process of the ulna when the resistance is given to flexion of the eblow.

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    Rearfoot Region

    Arthrology

  • subtalar joint
  • convex on concave joint proximal componentĄG concave radial notch of the ulna
    distal componentĄG convex rim of the head of the radius
  • joint typeĄG 1 degree-of-freedom pivot joint or trochoid joint
  • movementsĄG
  • forearm pronation with posterior glide of the radial head
  • forearm supination with anterior glide of the radial head
  • Articulations within the elbow and forearm region

  • distal radioulnar joint
  • convex on concave joint proximal componentĄG convex  head of the ulna
    distal componentĄG concave ulnar notch of the radius
  • joint typeĄG 1 degree-of-freedom pivot joint
  • movementsĄG
  • forearm pronation with anterior glide of the radial head
  • forearm supination with posterior glide of the radial head
  • Articulations within the elbow and forearm region

    Bony landmarks

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  • radius
  • head of the radius
  • ulna
  • head of the ulna
  • axis of rotation of forearm rotationĄG passing through the line connecting both heads of the radius and ulna.
    1. Have the subject's elbow extended and forearm supinated.  The rim of the radial head is easily identified at the lateral aspect of the proximal radius.

    2. The head of the ulna is found at the wrist area on the medial (ulnar) side.  Have the forearm turn pronation and supination slowly, you can see that the ulnar head becomes more prominent in the forearm pronated position than in the supinated position.  If the ulnar head is extremely prominent, then check the arthrokinematic movements of the distal radioulnar joint.

    3. The line connecting the above two heads is the axis of rotation for forearm rotation.

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    Palpable muscles and tendons

  • pronator teres (LatinĄG teretis = round and long)
  • originĄG medial epicondyle of the humerusĄF coronoid process of the ulna
  • insertionĄG lateral side of the radius about halfway down the forearm
  • actionsĄG forearm pronationĄFelbow flexion
  • innervationĄG median nerve (C6-C7)
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    Established on 03/25/2005 and Last Updated 03/27/2005 © 2005-2010 Huei-Ming Chai, PhD PT          All Right Reserved