In addition to the ankle joint, which is discussed in a separate video, the joints of the foot include several more groups: the joints of the tarsal bones, the joints between the tarsal and metatarsal bones, and the joints of the phalanges.

Let’s learn about the last two groups.

Let’s start with the joints that connect the tarsal bones with the metatarsal bones.

The tarsometatarsal joints (articulationes tarsometatarseae). The combination of these joints is called the Lisfranc joint.

The bones forming the joint are medial cuneiform bone (os cuneiforme mediale), intermediate cuneiform bone(os cuneiforme intermedium), lateral cuneiform bone (os cuneiforme laterale), cuboid bone(os cuboideum) and the 1st-5th metatarsals (ossa metatarsalia I-V).

The articular surfaces involved in the formation of the joint are the distal articular surfaces of the cuneiform bones, the articular surface of the cuboid bone and the articular surfaces of the bases of the metatarsal bones.

In this case, three isolated joints are formed:

• The joint between the medial cuneiform bone and the 1st metatarsal bone

• The joint between the 2nd and the 3rd metatarsals and the intermediate and lateral cuneiform bones

• The joint between the cuboid bone and the 4th and 5th metatarsals

  The joint capsule is attached along the edges of the articular surfaces.

  According to the classification, this joint is plane.

  Almost no motions take place in this joint.

  The ligamentous apparatus of the joint consists of several ligaments.

• The dorsal tarsometatarsal ligaments (ligamenta tarsometatarsea dorsalia)

  

• The plantar tarsometatarsal ligaments (ligamenta tarsometatarsea plantaria)

  

  

• The interosseous cuneometatarsal ligaments (ligamenta cuneometatarsea interossea). The medial cuneometatarsal ligament, which connects the medial cuneometatarsal bone with the 2nd metatarsal is called the key of the Lisfranc joint.

  

  The intermetatarsal joints (articulationes intermetatarseae).

  The bones forming the joint are the 1st-5th metatarsals (ossa metatarsalia I-V).

  

  The articular surfaces involved in the formation of the joint are the surfaces of the metatarsals facing each other.

  The joint capsules are attached along the edges of the articular surfaces.

  The metatarsal interosseous ligaments (ligamenta metatarsea interossea) belong to the ligamentous apparatus of the joint.

  

  Dorsal metatarsal ligaments (ligg. metatarsalia dorsalia)

  

  Plantar metatarsal ligaments (ligg. metatarsalia plantaria)

  

  The metatarsophalangeal joints (articulationes metatarsophalangeae)

  

  The bones forming the joint are the 1st-5th proximal phalanges of the toes (phalanx proximalis) and the 1st-5th metatarsals (ossa metatarsalia I-V).

  The articular surfaces involved in the formation of the joint are the articular surfaces of the heads of the metatarsal bones and the articular surfaces of the bases of the proximal phalanges.

  

  

  The joint capsule is very thin and loose, it is attached along the edges of the articular surfaces.

  According to the classification, the joints are ellipsoid and biaxial.

  Flexion and extension of the toes, as well as their slight adduction and abduction are carried out in the joint.

  The fixing apparatus of the joint is composed of several ligaments:

• These are the lateral and medial collateral ligaments (ligamenta collateralia mediales et laterales)

  

• The plantar ligaments (ligamenta plantaria)

• And the deep transverse metatarsal ligament (ligamentum metatarseum transversum profundum) passes transversely from the heads of the 1st to the head of the 5th of the metatarsals, fusing with the capsules of the metatarsal joints and connecting the heads of all metatarsal bones.

The interphalangeal joints of the foot (articulationes interphalangeae pedis)

The bones forming the joint are the phalanges of the toes (phalanges)

The articular surfaces involved in the formation of the joint are the articular surface on the head of one phalanx (caput phalangis) and the articular surface on the base of the other phalanx (basis phalangis).

The joint capsules are attached along the edges of the articular surfaces.

According to the classification, the joints are hinge and uniaxial.

Flexion and extension are carried out in the interphalangeal joints. At the same time, the motions of the thumb have a large amplitude.

The ligamentous apparatus of the joint includes collateral ligaments (ligamenta collateralia) and plantar ligaments (ligamenta plantari).

Dictionary

Joint of the foot

Tarsometatarsal joints

articulationes tarsometatarseae

Medial cuneiform bone

os cuneiforme mediale

Intermediate cuneiform bone

os cuneiforme intermedium

Lateral cuneiform bone

os cuneiforme laterale

Cuboid bone

os cuboideum

The 1st-5th metatarsals

ossa metatarsalia I-V

Dorsal tarsometatarsal ligaments

ligamenta tarsometatarsea dorsalia

Plantar tarsometatarsal ligaments

ligamenta tarsometatarsea plantaria

Interosseous cuneometatarsal ligaments

ligamenta cuneometatarsea interossea

Intermetatarsal joints

articulationes intermetatarseae

Metatarsal interosseous ligaments

ligamenta metatarsea interossea

Metatarsophalangeal joints

articulationes metatarsophalangeae

Proximal phalanges

phalanx proximalis

Lateral and medial collateral ligaments

ligamenta collateralia mediales et laterales

Plantar ligaments

ligamenta plantaria

Deep transverse metatarsal ligament

ligamentum metatarseum transversum profundum

Interphalangeal joints of foot

articulationes interphalangeae pedis

Phalanges of the toes

phalanges

Head of the phalanx

caput phalangis

Base of the phalanx

basis phalangis

Collateral ligaments

ligamenta collateralia

Plantar ligaments

ligamenta plantari