Joints and ligaments of the foot
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Identify the main joints of the foot.
- List the main ligaments of the foot.
Watch video
Since the foot is such a complex structure with many bones and joints, it’s only natural that it has numerous ligaments that help to stabilize and enable optimal movement of the foot. The ligaments of the foot are categorized based on their associated joints, with each joint of the foot containing 2 or more ligaments. Conveniently, most ligaments are named after 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!
Take a quiz
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Browse atlas
Take a closer look at the joints and ligaments of the foot in the gallery below.
Summary
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 |