ARCHES OF FOOT

By Dr. Harsha

surath

FUNCTIONS OF FOOT Support body weight As shock absorbers As spring boards for propelling during

walking, running, and jumping. It can adapt itself to uneven surfaces. Long flexors and small muscles of the

foot assist in propulsive action

The weight of the body transferred to talus from tibia

Then it is transmitted to calcaneus

Anteriorly the ball of foot

Between these weight bearing points are the elastic arches of the foot

Slightly flattened by body weight during standing

Recoil back to normal-weight removed

Arches of Foot Longitudinal arch of the foot

Medial longitudinal arch Lateral longitudinal arch

Transverse arch of the foot

Medial longitudinal arch Higher and important than

lateral Composed of – Calcaneous - Talus - Navicular - 3 cuneiform - 3 metatarsals Talar head is key stone of this

arch

Tibialis anterior attached to – 1st metatarsal,medial cuneiform – strength for this arch.

Fibularis longus tendon – pass laterally to this arch providing

support

Lateral longitudinal Arch Flatter than medial longitudinal arch. Rests on the ground during standing. It is made up of – calcaneous, cuboid, 2

lateral metatarsals.

Transverse arch Runs from side to side It is formed by – cuboid, cuneiforms,

bases of metatarssals Medial and lateral parts of longitudinal

arch act as pillars Tendons of fibularis longus and tibialis posterior

Integrity of bony arches Maintained by passive factors and dynamic supports

Passive factors Shape of the united bones Four successive layers of fibrous tissue –

bowstring the longitudinal arch Plantar aponeurosis Long plantar ligament Plantar calcaneocuboid (short plantar)

ligament Plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament

Dynamic supports Active bracing action of intrinsic muscles

of foot Active and tonic contraction of muscles

with long tendons extending in to foot Flexor hallusis and digitorum longus –

longitudinal arch Fibularis longus and tibialis posterior –

transverse arch

Plantar ligaments and plantar aponeurosis bear greatest stress and important in maintaining arches

MECHANISM OF ARCH SUPPORTSHAPE OF BONES

Bones are wedge-shaped with the thin edge lying inferiorly

This applies particularly to the bone occupying

the center of the arch

“keystone”

MECHANISM OF ARCH SUPPORTINFERIOR EDGES OF BONES ARE

TIED TOGETHER

MECHANISM OF ARCH SUPPORTTYING THE ENDS OF THE ARCH

TOGETHER

MECHANISM OF ARCH SUPPORTSUSPENDING THE ARCH FROM ABOVE

Medial longtitudinal arch: tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, medial ligament of ankle joint

Lateral longtitudinal arch: peroneus longus, peroneus brevis

Transverse arch: peroneus longus

MECHANISM OF ARCH SUPPORTSUSPENDING THE ARCH FROM ABOVE

REFERENCES - clinical oriented Anatomy 6th

edition, by Keith L Moore

- Greys Anatomy

thank you …