Functional Anatomy of the Ankle

Abstract

The ankle joint is important in human balance and gait, being responsible for transferring the body weight to the foot and performing motions which are essential to gait. Owing to its rigidity, it maintains body balance, and owing to its flexibility, it provides a comfortable, smooth, and nearly effortless human gait. The ankle joint is a synovial hinge joint that is made up of the articulation of three bones, comprising three articulations: the talocrural joint, the subtalar joint, and the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. Therefore, it is much more than a simple hinge joint because of its unique design. In this chapter the functional and anatomical characteristics of the ankle joint will be discussed.