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AnatomyLower limbAnkle and foot
Table of contents

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Joints and ligaments of the foot

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

  1. Identify the main joints of the foot.
  2. List the main ligaments of the foot.

Watch video

The foot has a complex structure with many bones and joints which require its numerous ligaments and supporting structures to help stabilize and enable optimal movement of the foot. The ligaments of the foot are categorized according to their associated joints, with each joint of the foot containing two or more ligaments. Conveniently, most ligaments are named according to their position relative to the joint they support e.g., dorsal, plantar and interosseous cuboideonavicular ligaments.

Watch this video for a comprehensive review of all the ligaments of the foot and their associated joints!

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Browse atlas

Take a closer look at the joints and ligaments of the foot in the gallery below. 

Medial talocalcaneal ligament
Ligamentum talocalcaneum mediale
1/24
Synonyms: Internal calcaneo-astragaloid ligament, Ligamentum talocalcaneum tibiale

Summary

Key points about the joints and ligaments of the foot
Talocalcaneal joint Medial, lateral, posterior, interosseous and anterior talocalcaneal ligaments
Talocalcaneo-navicular joint [Dorsal] talonavicular ligament, plantar calcaneonavicular ligament
Calcaneocuboid joint Calcaneocuboid, dorsal calcaneocuboid, plantar calcaneocuboid, long plantar ligaments
Cuboideonavicular joint Dorsal cuboideonavicular, plantar cuboideonavicular, interosseous cuboideonavicular ligaments
Cuneonavicular joint Dorsal cuneonavicular (3), plantar cuneonavicular (3), medial cuneonavicular ligaments
Cuneocuboid joints Dorsal cuneocuboid, plantar cuneocuboid, interosseous cuneocuboid ligaments
Intercuneiform joints Dorsal (2), interosseous (2) and plantar intercuneiform ligaments (1 or 2)
Tarsometatarsal joint Dorsal and plantar tarsometatarsal, cuneometatarsal interosseous ligaments
Intermetatarsal joints Dorsal, plantar, and interosseous metatarsal ligaments
Metatarso-phalangeal joints Plantar and collateral metatarsophalangeal, deep transverse metatarsal ligaments
Interphalangeal joints of foot Plantar and collateral interphalangeal ligaments

Well done!

Related articles

Ankle and foot anatomy Read article
Joints and ligaments of the foot Read article

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