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This is one of the major synovial joints of the lower limb. It is a hinge joint at which the foot can be moved upwards (extension or dorsiflexion) and downwards (flexion or plantar flexion). It is the anatomical equivalent of a "mortice and tenon" joint used in classical carpentry - for example for joining the sides of a drawer. The three-sided mortice is formed by the leg bones and consists of the lower end of the tibia (2) and its medial malleolus (1) and the lateral malleolus (3) of the fibula. The tenon or "peg" consists of the trochlear surface of one of the foot bones, the talus. Being a hinge joint, the ankle is stabilised by strong medial (deltoid) and lateral collateral ligaments. |
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