Foot Anatomy: Fascia, Muscles, and Neurovascular Supply

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the lecture on foot anatomy, covering fascia, intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, arterial and nerve supply, and clinical pulse points.

Plantar Fascia

A fibrous band in the sole connecting the heel to the toes that supports the foot arch, acts as a shock absorber during walking and running, and maintains foot stability.

Central Band of Plantar Fascia

The largest band of the plantar fascia that divides anteriorly into five heads (one for each toe) proximal to the heads of the metatarsals.

Retinacula Cutis

Skin ligaments through which the superficial layers of the plantar fascia insert into the dermis at the ball of the foot and the crease between the ball and toes.

Extrinsic Foot Muscles

Muscles located in the anterior, posterior, and lateral compartments of the leg that perform actions such as eversion, inversion, plantarflexion, and dorsiflexion of the foot.

Intrinsic Foot Muscles

Muscles located entirely within the foot that perform fine motor actions, such as movement of individual digits.

Dorsal Intrinsic Muscles of Foot

A group of two muscles—extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallucis brevis—innervated by the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve that extend the big toe and lateral four toes.

First Layer of Intrinsic Plantar Muscles

The most superficial layer of intrinsic plantar muscles located directly underneath the plantar fascia, comprising abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, and abductor digiti minimi.

Second Layer of Intrinsic Plantar Muscles

A plantar muscle layer consisting of quadratus plantae and lumbricals, through which the tendons of the extrinsic flexor digitorum longus travel.

Third Layer of Intrinsic Plantar Muscles

A plantar muscle layer comprising flexor hallucis brevis, adductor hallucis (for great toe movements), and flexor digiti minimi brevis (for little toe movement).

Fourth Layer of Intrinsic Plantar Muscles

The deepest layer of intrinsic plantar muscles consisting of unipennate plantar interossei and bipennate dorsal interossei.

Dorsalis Pedis Artery

An artery that is the continuation of the anterior tibial artery, supplying the tarsals, metatarsals, and toes on the dorsal aspect of the foot.

Posterior Tibial Artery

An artery supplying the plantar side of the foot and toes via the deep plantar arch.

Deep Plantar Arch

An arterial structure formed by the anastomosis between the dorsalis pedis artery and the posterior tibial artery.

Femoral Pulse Point

A pulse point palpated as the femoral artery enters the femoral triangle, midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and pubic symphysis (mid-inguinal point).

Popliteal Pulse Point

A pulse point located deep in the popliteal fossa that is hardest to find, requiring deep palpation with the leg slightly flexed to relax surrounding fascia.

Dorsalis Pedis Pulse Point

A pulse point palpated on the dorsum of the foot, positioned just lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon.

Posterior Tibial Pulse Point

A pulse point palpated inferoposteriorly to the medial malleolus where the posterior tibial artery turns to enter the foot.

Medial Plantar Nerve

A branch of the tibial nerve providing sensation to the skin on the medial side of the foot and innervating abductor hallucis and flexor digitorum brevis.

Lateral Plantar Nerve

A branch of the tibial nerve supplying sensation to the lateral side of the foot and innervating most intrinsic foot muscles except those supplied by the medial plantar nerve.

Sural Nerve

A nerve providing sensation on the outside of the foot and the small toe.

Medial Dorsal Cutaneous Nerve

A nerve that innervates the skin on the medial side of the foot and the first two toes for sensory perception.