Exploring The Anatomy Of The Lateral Ankle: A Comprehensive Guide

The ankle joint is one of the most important and most commonly injured joints in the human body. Composed of a complex arrangement of bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons, it provides stability when we walk and run. But what makes up this joint? In this blog post, we’ll explore the anatomy of the lateral ankle in detail so that you can gain a comprehensive understanding of how it works. From its bones to its ligaments to its muscles and more, read on for an in-depth journey through the anatomy of the lateral ankle.

The Bones of the Lateral Ankle

There are three bones that make up the lateral ankle: the fibula, the talus, and the calcaneus. The fibula is the long, thin bone on the outside of the lower leg. It articulates with the talus at the top of the ankle joint and with the calcaneus at the bottom of the ankle joint. The talus is a small bone that sits in between the tibia and fibula. It articulates with the tibia at the knee joint and with the fibula at the ankle joint. The calcaneus is a large bone that sits at the bottom of the ankle joint. It articulates with the talus and with the heelbone (calcaneus).

The Ligaments of the Lateral Ankle

There are multiple ligaments located around the lateral ankle that work to provide stability to the joint. The main ligaments of concern are the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL).

The ATFL is the most commonly injured of the three, as it is responsible for stabilizing the talus (ankle bone) in front of the fibula (calf bone). It is a thin, flat band of tissue that attaches the talus to the fibula just below the knee joint. A sprained ankle typically occurs when the ATFL is stretched or torn.

The CFL is located behind the ATFL and works to stabilize the back of the talus. It attaches to both the talus and calcaneus (heel bone). A complete tear of this ligament can lead to instability in the ankle joint.

Finally, the PTFL runs along the back side of the fibula and attaches it to either side of the tibia (shinbone). This provides stability to both bones and helps prevent excessive movement inwards or outwards at the ankle joint.

The Muscles of the Lateral Ankle

There are numerous muscles that work to stabilize the lateral ankle. The peroneus longus and brevis are the primary muscles responsible for moving the foot outward (eversion). The tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus tertius work to move the foot upward (dorsiflexion), while the soleus and gastrocnemius move the foot downward (plantarflexion).

The peroneus longus is a strong, flat muscle that starts at the lower end of the fibula and runs along its outer surface. It inserts into the plantar surface of the first metatarsal bone and acts to evert (turn out) the foot.

The peroneus brevis is a small muscle located just behind the peroneus longus. It also starts at the lower end of the fibula, but runs along its inner surface. It inserts into the plantar surface of the fifth metatarsal bone and also acts to evert (turn out) the foot.

The tibialis anterior is a large muscle located on the front and outer side of your shinbone (tibia). It starts just below your knee joint and runs down your shin to insert into your ankle bones (the navicular, cuneiforms, and first three metatarsals). The tibialis anterior acts to dorsiflex (lift up) your foot when walking or running.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of the anatomy of the lateral ankle, as well as its importance in movement. Lateral ankle pain is common but can be managed with proper diagnosis and treatment from a qualified medical professional. Knowing where to look for tenderness in the lateral ankle can help you make an informed decision when it comes to seeking out care. 

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