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The ankle is a complex joint that connects the foot to the lower leg. It is formed by the articulation of the tibia, fibula, and talus bones. The movement of the ankle is made possible by the muscles in the lower leg, whose tendons pass by the ankle and connect to the foot. These muscles contract to enable us to walk, run, and jump. The ankle is also supported by ligaments, which are soft tissues that connect bones to other bones. These ligaments provide stability and flexibility to the ankle joint. The muscles that move the ankle include the peroneals, calf muscles, tibialis muscles, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscles that control plantarflexion | Gastrocnemius, Tibialis posterior, Flexor digitorum longus, Flexor hallucis longus, Peroneus brevis, Peroneus longus |
| Muscles that control dorsiflexion | Tibialis anterior, Extensor digitorum longus, Extensor hallucis longus, Peroneus tertius |
| Nerves | Tibial nerve, Superficial peroneal nerve, Deep peroneal nerve |
| Ligaments | Medial ligaments (deltoid ligaments), Lateral ligaments, Syndesmotic ligaments |
| Ligaments that connect bones | Anterior talofibular ligament, Calcaneofibular ligament, Posterior talofibular ligament |
| Bones | Tibia, Fibula, Talus, Calcaneus |
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What You'll Learn
Muscles that control plantarflexion
Plantar flexion is a term that describes positioning the foot with the toes pointing downwards. Examples of plantar flexion include standing on tiptoes, pressing down on a pedal, or walking, running, and jumping. This movement requires the coordination of several muscles in the ankle, foot, and leg.
The gastrocnemius is one of the muscles that does most of the work in plantar flexion. It forms half of what is commonly called the calf muscle and starts at the back of the knee, attaching to the Achilles tendon at the heel. The soleus muscle, also part of the calf muscles at the back of the leg, is another major player in plantar flexion. It is responsible for pushing away from the ground, and it also connects to the Achilles tendon.
The plantaris muscle is long and thin, running along the back of the leg from the end of the thigh bone down to the Achilles tendon. It works with the Achilles tendon to flex the ankle and knee joints, allowing a person to stand on their toes. The flexor hallucis longus is a deep muscle in the leg that runs down to the big toe. It helps flex the big toe, which is important for walking and balancing, especially on tiptoes.
The tibialis posterior is a smaller, deep muscle in the lower leg that is involved in plantar flexion and inversion (turning the sole of the foot inward). The peroneus longus (also called fibularis longus) and peroneus brevis (fibularis brevis) muscles also help keep the foot stable during plantar flexion.
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Muscles that control dorsiflexion
Dorsiflexion is the movement that occurs at the ankle when the foot is lifted upwards and the toes are extended. This is the opposite of plantar flexion, which occurs when the foot is pointed downwards. The main muscles contributing to dorsiflexion are the fibularis tertius, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and tibialis anterior. The tibialis anterior is the strongest dorsiflexor of the ankle and is located on the outside of the shin. It is responsible for lifting the foot up during dorsiflexion. Any damage or weakness in this muscle can lead to a condition called foot drop, resulting in the foot dragging on the ground and causing tripping while walking.
The extensor hallucis longus is unique among these muscles as it is the only one responsible for extending or pulling back the big toe. This muscle sits below the surface and between the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus. The extensor digitorum longus, often abbreviated as EDL, is found in the front of the lower leg in the outer muscle-bound compartment. It plays a role in dorsiflexion and also contributes to eversion, the movement of the sole of the foot away from the body.
The fibularis tertius, or peroneus muscle, is another contributor to dorsiflexion. However, its presence varies across different populations, with its occurrence observed in less than 50% of a Chilean sample and 63% of a southwestern Nigerian sample in separate studies. The peroneus muscle group is essential for dorsiflexion and balanced eversion/inversion of the ankle joint.
In summary, dorsiflexion of the ankle is controlled by several muscles, including the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and fibularis tertius or peroneus muscle. These muscles work together to lift the foot upwards and extend the toes during dorsiflexion, which is essential for various movements and activities.
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Peroneal muscles
The peroneal muscles, also known as the fibular muscles, are a group of muscles in the lateral compartment of the lower leg. They are composed of the fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, and fibularis tertius. The fibularis longus and fibularis brevis are located in the lateral compartment of the leg, while the fibularis tertius is found in the anterior compartment.
The peroneal muscles play a crucial role in the movement of the ankle joint and provide support to the foot. They are responsible for eversion, which involves moving the sole of the foot outward and away from the midline of the body. Additionally, the fibularis longus and fibularis brevis enable plantar flexion, allowing the foot to extend downward away from the body. In contrast, the fibularis tertius assists in dorsiflexion, pulling the foot upward toward the body.
The fibularis longus is the largest of the fibularis muscles and originates from the fibula. It provides support to the arches of the foot, including both the longitudinal and transverse arches. This muscle is innervated by the superficial fibular nerve, a branch of the common fibular nerve. The fibularis brevis, on the other hand, originates from the distal two-thirds of the lateral surface of the fibula and is located deep and anterior to the fibularis longus. Its muscle fibres descend towards the foot, giving off a tendon just proximal to the ankle.
The peroneal muscles are susceptible to various pathologies, including contractures, tears, and fractures. For example, a fibularis longus contracture can result in an everted or valgus foot. Tears of the peroneal tendons can occur longitudinally or transversely, and avulsion fractures can result from tendon tears. In some cases, surgical treatment may be required for peroneal tendon tears, depending on the severity and response to conservative management.
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Calf muscles
The calf muscle plays a crucial role in supporting various movements of the ankle. It is located in the posterior, or the back part, of the lower leg and is made up of two main muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. These two muscles come together above the heel, forming the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the calcaneus (heel bone).
The function of the calf muscle is to support the ankle during movement and stabilisation. It enables plantar flexion, allowing the foot to flex downward and away from the body. This movement is crucial for walking, running, and jumping. The calf muscle also assists in dorsiflexion, helping to move the foot upward towards the body.
The gastrocnemius is the larger and more superficial of the two main calf muscles. It is positioned just under the skin at the back of the lower leg, giving the calf its bulk and visible outline. The soleus, on the other hand, is deeper and lies beneath the gastrocnemius. It is less commonly injured due to its position, only crossing the ankle joint.
The calf muscle also plays a role in ankle proprioception, which is crucial for maintaining balance. Ankle proprioception relies on accurate input from the calf muscle spindles, which detect changes in muscle length and position. This input helps the brain perceive and adjust the body's position, ensuring stability.
To maintain healthy calf muscles and improve their function, it is important to stay active, hydrated, and properly warmed up before exercising. Specific exercises targeting the calf muscle, such as ankle stretches and repetitions, can help strengthen the muscles and improve the range of motion. However, it is important to gradually introduce new exercises and stop if discomfort or pain occurs.
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Tibialis muscles
The tibialis anterior muscle is situated on the lateral side of the tibia and is the largest of four muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg. Its thick muscle belly arises from its proximal attachment at the upper two-thirds of the lateral tibia, with the tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) inserting distally on the medial border of the foot. The muscle is primarily responsible for dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot.
The tibialis anterior is a powerful inverter of the foot. It arises from the lateral tibia and the tendon inserts on the medial border of the foot, so when the muscle contracts, it lifts the structures of the medial arch (medial cuneiform, first metatarsal, navicular, and talus) into adduction-supination or inversion. The movement of inversion occurs at two synovial joints in the foot: the subtalar joint between the talus and calcaneus, and the midtarsal joint between the talus and navicular bone.
The tibialis anterior is also involved in maintaining the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. It draws up and holds the toe in a locked position. The muscle helps to stabilise the ankle as the foot hits the ground during the contact phase of walking (eccentric contraction) and acts later to pull the foot clear of the ground during the swing phase (concentric contraction). It also functions to 'lock' the ankle, as in toe-kicking a ball, when held in an isometric contraction.
The tibialis posterior is another muscle that controls plantarflexion, allowing you to flex your foot down and away from your body. It is also a primary inverter of the foot, along with the tibialis anterior.
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Frequently asked questions
The muscles that control plantarflexion, allowing you to flex your foot down and away from your body, include the gastrocnemius, tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, peroneus brevis, and peroneus longus.
The muscles that control dorsiflexion, allowing you to move your foot up towards your body, include the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and peroneus tertius.
The peroneal muscles (peroneus longus and peroneus brevis) on the outside edge of the ankle and foot enable the ankle to bend downward and outward. The calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) are connected to the calcaneus via the Achilles tendon, allowing the ankle to bend downward and upward. The posterior tibialis muscle supports the arch of the foot and enables the foot to turn inward, while the anterior tibialis muscle enables the ankle and foot to turn upward.
