Medical Terminology and Anatomy of the Foot and Ankle

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical directions, movements, orthopedic surgery terminology, foot/ankle anatomy, and related pathologies based on lecture notes.

Superior (Cephalic)

Towards the upper end of body; above another structure.

Inferior (Caudal)

Towards the lower end of body; below another structure.

Anterior (Ventral)

Towards the front; in front of.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Towards the rear; behind.

Medial

Towards the midline of the body.

Lateral

Towards the right or left sides of the body.

External (Superficial)

Towards the surface of the body.

Internal (Deep)

Towards the interior of the body.

Proximal

Nearest to the trunk or point of origin.

Distal

Farthest from the trunk.

Contralateral

Relating to the opposite side.

Dorsum

Referring to the upper side of the foot.

Plantar

Referring to the sole of the foot.

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

Is any vertical plane that divides the body into ventral and dorsal (belly and back) sections.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane which passes from ventral (front) to dorsal (rear) dividing the body into right and left halves.

Axial (Transverse) Plane

Plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement towards the midline of the body.

Dorsiflexion

Flexion of foot upwards (restricted to ankle movement).

Eversion

To turn the sole of the foot outwards (laterally).

Extension

The act of extending or straightening a limb; the opposite movement of flexion.

Flexion

Bending of a joint to approximate the parts it connects.

Inversion

To turn the sole of the foot inwards (medially).

Plantar Flexion

Flexion of foot downwards (restricted to ankle movement).

Pronation

Rotation of the forearm and hand so that the palm is down (and the corresponding movement of the foot and leg with the sole down), as opposed to supination.

Supination

Rotation of the arm or leg outward; in the case of the arm, the palm of the hand faces forward.

Allograft

The transplant of an organ, tissue, or cells from one individual to another individual of the same species.

Arthrodesis

The surgical fixation of a joint to promote bone fusion.

Arthroplasty

The surgical correction of a joint abnormality.

Aseptic Loosening

Loosening of an implanted device because of tiny particles generated at the bearing couple of a joint which can induce an inflammatory response leading to bone loss.

Autograft

A bone or tissue that is transferred from one spot to another on the patient's body; considered the gold standard in bone grafting.

Bone scan

A nuclear scanning test performed to identify new areas of bone growth or breakdown.

Capsulotomy

Surgical removal of a joint capsule.

CT Scan (Computerized Tomography Scan)

Special X-ray using images and a computer to produce a series of $2$-dimensional pictures; useful for seeing bone edges without shadows.

Extramedullary

Located or taking place outside the bone marrow.

Fusion

The joining of bone segments together to produce one solid bone segment.

Intramedullary

Located or taking place inside the bone marrow.

Malalignment

Incorrect or imperfect alignment.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Imaging in a large tube where the body is magnetized to take $3$-dimensional pictures showing soft tissues and bones.

Revision

Surgery performed to replace a failed implant or correct undesirable sequelae such as scar tissue from previous surgery.

Semi-Constrained

Limits translation and rotation.

Valgus

A term meaning tilted outward or away from the midline of the body (sole of the foot faces outward).

Varus

A term meaning tilted inward or toward the midline of the body (sole of the foot faces inward).

Windlass Mechanism

Describes how the plantar fascia supports the foot during weight-bearing through a dynamic bow-stringing effect.

Xenograft

The transplant of an organ, tissue, or cells to an individual of another species.

Achilles Tendon

Tendon connecting the two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle and the deeper soleus muscle to the calcaneus (heel bone).

Ankle Joint

The hinge joint between the tibia, fibula, and talus bones that allows dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.

Anterior Neurovascular Bundle

Contains the anterior tibial artery and deep peroneal nerve; lies between the tibialis anterior and EHL tendons.

Anterior Tibial-Dorsalis Pedis Artery

A blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood to the dorsal surface of the foot.

Calcaneus

The heel bone.

Cancellous (or Spongy Bone)

Softer, more flexible bone found beneath the harder exterior layer in the metaphysis.

Cartilage

Tough, white elastic tissue covering contact points of bones in joints to provide a cushion and allow smooth movement.

Cortical

Medical term for the hard exterior layer of a bone.

Deep Peroneal Nerve

Nerve beginning at the bifurcation of the common fibular nerve that provides sensation to the first web space.

Deltoid (or Medial) Ligament

A thick, triangular shaped ligament on the medial aspect of the ankle joint.

Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL)

Pennate muscle at the lateral front of the leg that extends toes $2$-$5$ and dorsiflexes the ankle.

Extensor Hallucis Brevis (EHB)

Thin, broad muscle on the top of the foot that assists in extending the big toe.

Extensor Hallucis Longus (EHL)

Muscle between the tibialis anterior and EDL that extends the big toe and dorsiflexes the foot.

Extensor Retinaculum

A Y-shaped band placed in front of the ankle-joint, attached laterally to the calcaneus.

Fibula

The most prominent bone on the outer side of the ankle that extends to the knee.

Flexor Digitorum Longus (FDL)

Muscle on the tibial side of the leg that serves to flex the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes.

Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL)

Deep muscle of the posterior compartment of the leg that attaches to the distal phalanx of the great toe.

Knot of Henry

The plantar crossing of the FDL tendon obliquely over the FHL tendon in the midfoot at the level of the navicular bone.

Lateral Ankle Ligaments

Composed of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL).

Lateral Malleolus

The end of the fibula, forming the bone on the outside of the ankle.

Ligament

A fibrous band of dense collagen bundles that connect one bone to another.

Lisfranc Ligament

A band of plantar tissue spanning the articulation of the medial cuneiform and the second metatarsal base.

Long Plantar Ligament

The longest and strongest ligament of the foot, running from the calcaneus to the metatarsal bases.

Medial Malleolus

The bony bump on the inner side of the ankle at the end of the tibia.

Mortise

Part of the distal tibia joining the talus bone to form an ankle joint.

Osteotomy

Procedure where a surgeon removes or adds a wedge of bone near a damaged joint.

Paratenon

Sheath that covers the surfaces of a tendon and supplies it with nutrients.

Periosteum

Connective tissue covering all bones with bone-forming potentialities.

Peroneal Tendons

Three tendons behind the fibula (brevis, longus, and tertius) that evert the foot and balance the ankle.

Peroneus Brevis

Short muscle at the lateral lower leg deep to the Peroneus Longus.

Peroneus Longus

Superficial muscle in the lateral compartment that everts and plantar flexes the ankle.

Plantar Calcaneonavicular Ligament (or Spring Ligament)

Thick band of tissue supporting the medial longitudinal arch; failure leads to flat foot deformity.

Posterior Neurovascular Bundle

Includes the posterior tibial artery and tibial nerve, coursing posterior to the medial malleolus.

Posterior Tibial Tendon (PTT)

Tendon that helps maintain the arch of the foot and passes behind the medial malleolus.

Sinus Tarsi

Cylindrical cavity located between the talus and the calcaneus on the lateral foot aspect.

Subchondral

Medical term for the dense layer of bone that underlies epiphyseal cartilage.

Talus

The ankle bone that sits within the mortise and has no muscular attachments.

Tendons

Cords of fibrous connective tissue that attach muscle to bones.

Tibia

The larger, medial bone of the leg extending from the knee to the ankle.

Tibial Plafond

The inferior surface of the tibia that articulates with the trochlear surface of the talus.

Tibialis Anterior Tendon

Tendon that moves the ankle upward and stabilizes the foot during gait.

Arthritis

The wearing away of joint surfaces.

Avascular Necrosis (AVN)

Condition in which poor blood supply to an area of bone leads to bone death.

Bowlegged (Valgus)

Condition producing an outward curve below the knee caused by unequal growth plate progression.

Bunion (Hallux Valgus)

Painful bony bump at the big toe joint ($1$st MTP joint) involving lateral deviation.

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)

Deterioration of cartilage lining a joint; used interchangeably with osteoarthritis.

Equinous Contracture

Inability to bring the foot to a neutral position, named after the way horses walk on their toes.

Hammertoe

A bending deformity of one or both joints of the $2$nd, $3$rd, $4$th, or $5$th toes.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks cartilage and tendons.

Calcaneocuboid Joint (CCJ)

Joint that controls flexibility and the arch of the foot.

Distal Tibiofibular Joint (Ankle Syndesmosis)

Attaches the fibula and tibia medially; formed by the AITFL, PITFL, and ITFL.

Midtarsal (Chopard) Joint

Joint complex comprised of the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints.

Subtalar (Talocalcaneal) Joint (STJ)

Articulation between the talus and calcaneus that allows inversion and eversion.