Medical Terminology: Foot & Ankle Terminology Diagnostic Imaging Definitions :: Intervertebral Disk Terminology :: Spine Terminology :: Knee Terminology :: Shoulder Terminology :: EMG Terminology :: Foot & Ankle Terminology Search directions: Enter your queries (separated by spaces or commas) in the search box. To search for a sequence of words, place the words in between double quotes (for example, "Magnetic Resonance"). This feature requires a Java-enabled browser. Anatomy: There are 26 bones in the foot (not including sesamoids and/or accessory bones): Hindfoot: Talus and calcaneus (2) Midfoot: Navicular, cuboid, medial cuneiform, middle cuneiform, lateral cuneiform (5) Forefoot: Metatarsals (5) and phalanges (14) Achilles Tendon: The tendon of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the leg, attaches to the heel and plantar flexes the ankle. Common pathology includes rupture and chronic tendinitis. Anterior Talofibular Ligament: The anterior most and weakest of the lateral supporting ligaments. It is the first ligament to tear in severe inversion injuries. Deltoid Ligament: Complex band of ligaments, which attach the medial tibia to the hindfoot. Fibula: This is one of the longest and thinnest bones of the body. It is the outer and smaller bone of the leg from the ankle to the knee, articulating above with the tibia and below with thetibia and talus. Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon: The tendon of the flexor hallucis longus muscle. Located in the posteromedial soft tissues of the ankle. A flexor tendon of the first toe which inverts and flexes the foot and is a common site of tenosynovitis. Peroneus Longus and Brevis Tendons: The everting tendons of the ankle, which run side-by-side behind the fibula, these may rupture in lateral ankle trauma. Sural Nerve: Located in the lateral soft tissues, posterior to the peroneus tendons. Injured in fractures of the fifth metatarsal or from compression (ganglions, tight ski boots), producing pain or numbness. Tibia: Also known as the "shinbone", this is the inner and larger bone of the leg between the knee and ankle articulating with the femur and fibula above and with the talus and fibula below. Tibialis Posterior Tendon: A large flexor tendon, which runs along the posteromedial aspect of the ankle, prone to chronic and acute rupture. When torn, it presents as a flat foot deformity. Pathology: Accessory Soleus: Congenital abnormality. It is an "extra" muscle that can present as a painful mass following exercise. Morton's Neuroma: Focal fibrous enlargement of the nerve between the metatarsal heads (usually the 3rd and 4th). Appears as a mass on MRI. Sometimes contrast enhanced MRI may be needed to detect these small masses. Osteochondral Lesion of The Talus: A talar dome fracture that extends to the joint space. This may lead to a displaced bone fragment within the joint (loose body). Stress Fractures: Fatigue Fractures: Fracture in normal bone due to repetitive stress, often not visible on x-ray. Insufficiency Fractures: Stress fracture in abnormal, weak bone. Tendon Tears: Type I: Partially torn, bulbous, enlarged tendon with vertical splits and/or defects. Type II: Partially torn, thin tendon. Type III: Complete tendon rupture with a gap. Tendinitis: Intrinsic or intrasubstance inflammation of the tendon. Tenosynovitis: Inflammation of the synovial lining (membrane), which surrounds most tendons. It is seen as fluid surrounding a tendon on MRI. Back to the top Diagnostic Imaging Definitions :: Intervertebral Disk Terminology :: Spine Terminology :: Knee Terminology :: Shoulder Terminology :: EMG Terminology :: Foot & Ankle Terminology Search directions: Enter your queries (separated by spaces or commas) in the search box. To search for a sequence of words, place the words in between double quotes (for example, "Magnetic Resonance"). This feature requires a Java-enabled browser.