Arches of the Foot

Description

The transverse, medial longitudinal and lateral longitudinal arches of the foot

Medial and lateral longitudinal arches

Names

• Arches of the Foot
• Medial Longitudinal Arch
• Lateral Longitudinal Arch
• Transverse Arch of the Foot

General

• Can be broken down into:
  • Transverse Arch of the Foot
  • Medial and Lateral Longitudinal Arches of the Foot
• Formed between tarsal bones and metatarsal heads

Transverse Arch

• Bone Support: Formed by the metatarsal bases, cuboid, cuneiforms
• Muscular support: Fibularis longus, tibialis posterior, tendons
• Ligamentous support
  • Plantar ligaments: Long Plantar Ligament, Plantar Calcaneocuboid Ligament, plantar calcaneonavicular ligament
  • Deep transverse metatarsal ligaments
  • Lisfranc Ligament Complex
• Other support: Plantar aponeurosis

Medial Arch

• Higher of the two longitudinal arches
• Boney support: calcaneus, talus, navicular, three cuneiforms, first three metatarsals
• Muscular support: Tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, fibularis longus, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, intrinsic foot muscles
• Ligamentous support: Plantar ligaments: Long Plantar Ligament, Plantar Calcaneocuboid Ligament, plantar calcaneonavicular ligament, Deltoid Ligament
• Other: Plantar aponeurosis

Lateral Arch

• Flatter of the two longitudinal arches
• Lies on the ground in the standing position
• Bony support: calcaneus, cuboid, 4th and 5th metatarsals
• Muscular support: Fibularis longus, flexor digitorum longus, intrinsic foot muscles
• Ligamentous support: Plantar ligaments: Long Plantar Ligament, Plantar Calcaneocuboid Ligament, plantar calcaneonavicular ligament
• Other: Plantar aponeurosis

Functions

• Weight Bearing
• Movement

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Clinical Significance

• Pes Cavus
• Pes Planus

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See Also

• Foot Anatomy Main
• Foot Pain Main
• Physical Exam Ankle

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