Ankle joint
Eva Rudolf-Müller is a freelance writer in the medical team. She studied human medicine and newspaper sciences and has repeatedly worked in both areas - as a doctor in the clinic, as a reviewer, and as a medical journalist for various specialist journals. She is currently working in online journalism, where a wide range of medicine is offered to everyone.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.The ankle joint is the flexible connection between the lower leg bones, tibia and fibula, and the foot. A distinction is made between an upper and a lower ankle joint. Both in turn consist of several individual joints. The partial joints are connected by ligaments that have a more or less strong stability and allow more or less movement. Read everything you need to know about the ankle!
What is the ankle
The ankle joint is the connection between the lower leg bones, tibia and fibula, and the foot. A distinction is made between an upper and a lower ankle joint.
Upper ankle joint (ankle)
The upper ankle joint consists of three parts: the fibula, which forms the outer ankle, the shinbone (Latin tibia), which forms the inner ankle, and the ankle bone (Latin talus), which belongs to the tarsal bones and the Transfers power from the leg to the foot. It is a hinge joint that allows movements in only one plane and around a transverse axis: Either the foot can be moved against the lower leg (as a free leg) or the lower leg against the foot (as a supporting leg). When the forefoot is lifted up, the heel moves down and vice versa.
The ankle joint is surrounded by a thin, flaccid capsule at the front and back, with ribbons on the sides for reinforcement. The special feature of these ligaments is that they split like a fan and are attached to different parts of the tarsus. At the outer ankle the ligament is divided into three parts (outer ligaments), at the inner ankle the connection is a triangular plate, which is also divided into three parts (inner ligaments). These divided ligament connections ensure that a portion of the ligament is always taut in every position of the foot and thus the joint is secured. There is a very strong, almost rigid ligament connection between the tibia and fibula, the syndesmosis.
Lower ankle joint (USG)
The lower ankle is made up entirely of tarsal bones (the lower leg bones are not involved). It actually consists of a front and a rear partial joint with its own joint capsule and joint cavity. In their function, however, the two partial joints form a joint. Movements in this joint take place via a longitudinal axis through which the foot turns around (for example when walking on the inner or outer edge of the foot) and the raising and lowering of the inner or outer edge of the foot.
The front lower ankle joint is formed by the ankle, heel and scaphoid bones, the rear by the ankle and heel bones. The bones of this joint are also stabilized by ligaments. This joint area has to withstand the greatest pressure because the entire body weight rests on it.
What is the function of the ankle?
The ankle joint enables movement of the foot in relation to the lower leg, the rolling of the foot and lateral movements of the foot. It absorbs the pressure that is exerted on the foot when jumping, for example.
Where is the ankle joint?
The upper ankle joint forms the connection between the lower leg and the foot. Below this lies the lower ankle joint, a connection of the tarsal bone consisting of two partial joints.
What problems can the ankle cause?
Problems arise from the high stress that this joint is exposed to: Most often this leads to ligament stretching and injuries (tears or complete tears) of one or more ligaments. Common sports injuries in this region of the body are also breaks (fractures) and cartilage damage. In addition, the ankle can "dislocate" (dislocation). Signs of wear and tear lead to osteoarthritis.
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