Arches of the Foot: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:13, 30 March 2025

Anatomical structure and function of the foot arches

Arches of the Foot are structural features formed by the tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, and supported by ligaments, tendons, and intrinsic muscles of the foot. They provide strength and flexibility, allowing the foot to support the weight of the human body during standing, walking, and running.

The bony architecture of the foot is arranged into multiple arches to maximize support with minimal material. These arches distribute body weight and provide shock absorption. There are two main types:

Longitudinal arches – running lengthwise
Transverse arches – running across the foot

Longitudinal Arches[edit]

The longitudinal arches are the most prominent and are divided into:

Medial Longitudinal Arch[edit]

The medial longitudinal arch is the higher and more elastic of the two. It is composed of the following bones:

Calcaneus
Talus
Navicular bone
Three cuneiform bones
First, second, and third metatarsals

The highest point is the superior articular surface of the talus. The posterior end rests on the tuberosity of the calcaneus, while the anterior end is supported by the heads of the first three metatarsals.

The stability and elasticity of this arch are maintained by:

Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament (spring ligament)
Deltoid ligament
Tibialis posterior muscle
Tibialis anterior muscle
Peroneus longus muscle
Plantar aponeurosis
Intrinsic muscles of the foot

The joint most susceptible to collapse is the talonavicular joint, which is reinforced by the spring ligament and the fan-like insertion of the tibialis posterior tendon.

Lateral Longitudinal Arch[edit]

The lateral longitudinal arch is flatter and more rigid. It comprises:

Calcaneus
Cuboid bone
Fourth and fifth metatarsals

The apex lies at the calcaneocuboid joint, known for its locking mechanism, allowing limited motion. This arch is stabilized by:

While the medial and lateral arches are often discussed separately, functionally they contribute to the unified longitudinal arch of the foot. Notably, a core segment of the longitudinal arch includes the cuboid, third cuneiform, and third metatarsal.

Transverse Arches[edit]

The foot also exhibits a series of transverse arches, particularly at:

The base of the metatarsal bones
The cuboid and cuneiform bones region

These arches form semi-domes with their concavities directed inferiorly and medially. When both feet are placed together, they form a complete dome.

Stabilization of the transverse arches involves:

Interosseous ligaments
Plantar ligaments
Dorsal ligaments
Adductor hallucis muscle (transverse head)
Peroneus longus muscle (crosses the foot and supports the arch)

Function[edit]

The arches of the foot are essential in:

Supporting body weight in various postures
Absorbing impact during locomotion
Distributing pressure evenly
Assisting in propulsion during gait

The medial arch specifically accommodates soft tissue structures such as the plantar aponeurosis, which acts as a spring to absorb and release energy, making gait more efficient and protecting the musculoskeletal system from overuse injuries.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Flattening of the arches results in pes planus (flat feet), which may cause pain or impaired gait.
Exaggeration results in pes cavus, leading to instability or increased risk of injury.
The arches are tested during physical examination and gait analysis and may be supported with orthotic devices.

Additional Images[edit]

Skeleton of foot - medial aspect
Skeleton of foot - lateral aspect
Photograph showing arch structure

Bibliography[edit]

R. Fick: Handbuch der Anatomie und Mechanik der Gelenke (Bardeleben’s Handbuch der Anatomie)

External Links[edit]

Gray's Anatomy[edit]

Anatomy atlases (external)[edit]

[1] - Anatomy Atlases

Adapted from the Classic Grays Anatomy of the Human Body 1918 edition (public domain)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[Anatomy]] > [[Gray's Anatomy| Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body]] > III. Syndesmology > 7j. Arches of the Foot
+{{Short description|Anatomical structure and function of the foot arches}}
+'''Arches of the Foot''' are structural features formed by the [[tarsal bones]], [[metatarsal bones]], and supported by [[ligament]]s, [[tendon]]s, and [[intrinsic muscles of the foot]]. They provide strength and flexibility, allowing the foot to support the weight of the [[human body]] during [[standing]], [[walking]], and [[running]].
-[[Henry Gray]] (1821–1865).  Anatomy of the Human Body.  1918.
+The bony architecture of the foot is arranged into multiple arches to maximize support with minimal material. These arches distribute body weight and provide shock absorption. There are two main types:
-== '''Arches of the Foot'''  ==
-In order to allow it to support the weight of the body in the erect posture with the least expenditure of material, the foot is constructed of a series of arches formed by the [[tarsal]] and [[metatarsal]] bones, and strengthened by the ligaments and tendons of the foot.
-=== Antero-posterior arche ===
+* '''Longitudinal arches''' – running lengthwise
-The main arches are the '''antero-posterior arches''' which may, for descriptive purposes, be regarded as divisible into two types—a medial and a lateral.
+* '''Transverse arches''' – running across the foot
-==== medial arch ====
+== Longitudinal Arches ==
-The '''[[medial arch]]''' (see Fig. 290, page 276) is made up by the calcaneus, the talus, the navicular, the three cuneiforms, and the first, second, and third metatarsals.
+The longitudinal arches are the most prominent and are divided into:
-Its summit is at the superior articular surface of the talus, and its two extremities or piers, on which it rests in standing, are the tuberosity on the plantar surface of the calcaneus posteriorly and the heads of the first, second, and third metatarsal bones anteriorly. The chief characteristic of this arch is its elasticity, due to its height and to the number of small joints between its component parts. Its weakest part, ''i. e'' the part most liable to yield from overpressure, is the joint between the [[talus]] and [[navicular]], but this portion is braced by the plantar calcaneonavicular ligament, which is elastic and is thus able to quickly restore the arch to its pristine condition when the disturbing force is removed.
-The ligament is strengthened medially by blending with the deltoid ligament of the ankle-joint, and is supported inferiorly by the tendon of the [[Tibialis]] posterior, which is spread out in a fanshaped insertion and prevents undue tension of the ligament or such an amount of stretching as would permanently elongate it.
-The arch is further supported by the plantar aponeurosis, by the small muscles in the sole of the foot, by the tendons of the Tibialis anterior and posterior and Peronæus longus, and by the ligaments of all the articulations involved.
-==== lateral arch ====
+=== Medial Longitudinal Arch ===
-The '''[[lateral]] arch''' (see Fig. 291, page 277) is composed of the calcaneus, the cuboid, and the fourth and fifth metatarsals. Its summit is at the talocalcaneal articulation, and its chief joint is the calcaneocuboid, which possesses a special mechanism for locking, and allows only a limited movement.
+[[File:Arches of the foot.jpg|thumb|Photograph showing the medial arch of the foot]]
-The most marked features of this arch are its solidity and its slight elevation; two strong ligaments, the long plantar and the plantar calcaneocuboid, together with the Extensor tendons and the short muscles of the little toe, preserve its integrity.
-While these medial and lateral arches may be readily demonstrated as the component antero-posterior arches of the foot, yet the '''fundamental longitudinal arch''' is contributed to by both, and consists of the calcaneus, cuboid, third cuneiform, and third metatarsal: all the other bones of the foot may be removed without destroying this arch.
-=== Transverse arches ===
+The '''[[medial longitudinal arch]]''' is the higher and more elastic of the two. It is composed of the following bones:
-In addition to the longitudinal arches the foot presents a series of '''[[transverse]] arches''' At the [[posterior]] part of the [[metatarsus]] and the anterior part of the [[tarsus]] the arches are complete, but in the middle of the tarsus they present more the characters of half-domes the concavities of which are directed downward and medialward, so that when the medial borders of the feet are placed in apposition a complete tarsal dome is formed.
-The transverse arches are strengthened by the interosseous, plantar, and dorsal ligaments, by the short muscles of the first and fifth toes (especially the transverse head of the Adductor hallucis), and by the Peronæus longus, whose tendon stretches across between the piers of the arches.
-'''[[Bibliography]]'''
-R. FICK: Handbuch der Anatomie und Mechanik der Gelenke (Bardeleben’s Handbuch der Anatomie).
+* [[Calcaneus]]
+* [[Talus]]
+* [[Navicular bone]]
+* Three [[cuneiform bones]]
+* First, second, and third [[metatarsals]]
-==Function==
+The highest point is the superior articular surface of the [[talus]]. The posterior end rests on the tuberosity of the [[calcaneus]], while the anterior end is supported by the heads of the first three metatarsals.
-The medial longitudinal arch in particular creates a space for soft tissues with elastic properties, which act as springs, particularly the thick [[plantar aponeurosis]], passing from the heel to the toes. Because of their elastic properties, these [[soft tissue]]s can spread ground contact reaction forces over a longer time period, and thus reduce the risk of musculoskeletal wear or damage, and they can also store the energy of these forces, returning it at the next step and thus reducing the cost of walking and, particularly, running, where vertical forces are higher.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Ker | first1 = R. F. | last2 = Bennett | first2 = M. B. | last3 = Bibby | first3 = S. R. | last4 = Kester | first4 = R. C. | last5 = Alexander | first5 = R. M. | title = The spring in the arch of the human foot | doi = 10.1038/325147a0 | journal = Nature | volume = 325 | issue = 7000 | pages = 147–49 | year = 1987 | pmid =   3808070| pmc = |bibcode = 1987Natur.325..147K }}</ref>
-==External links==
+The stability and elasticity of this arch are maintained by:
+* [[Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament]] (spring ligament)
+* [[Deltoid ligament]]
+* [[Tibialis posterior muscle]]
+* [[Tibialis anterior muscle]]
+* [[Peroneus longus muscle]]
+* [[Plantar aponeurosis]]
+* [[Intrinsic muscles of the foot]]
+The joint most susceptible to collapse is the [[talonavicular joint]], which is reinforced by the spring ligament and the fan-like insertion of the tibialis posterior tendon.
+=== Lateral Longitudinal Arch ===
+The '''[[lateral longitudinal arch]]''' is flatter and more rigid. It comprises:
+* [[Calcaneus]]
+* [[Cuboid bone]]
+* Fourth and fifth [[metatarsals]]
+The apex lies at the [[calcaneocuboid joint]], known for its locking mechanism, allowing limited motion. This arch is stabilized by:
+* [[Long plantar ligament]]
+* [[Plantar calcaneocuboid ligament]] (short plantar)
+* [[Extensor digitorum longus muscle]]
+* [[Flexor digitorum brevis muscle]]
+* [[Abductor digiti minimi muscle]]
+While the medial and lateral arches are often discussed separately, functionally they contribute to the unified '''longitudinal arch''' of the foot. Notably, a core segment of the longitudinal arch includes the [[cuboid]], third [[cuneiform]], and third metatarsal.
+== Transverse Arches ==
+The foot also exhibits a series of '''[[transverse arches]]''', particularly at:
+* The base of the [[metatarsal bones]]
+* The [[cuboid]] and [[cuneiform bones]] region
+These arches form semi-domes with their concavities directed inferiorly and medially. When both feet are placed together, they form a complete dome.
+Stabilization of the transverse arches involves:
+* [[Interosseous ligaments]]
+* [[Plantar ligaments]]
+* [[Dorsal ligaments]]
+* [[Adductor hallucis muscle]] (transverse head)
+* [[Peroneus longus muscle]] (crosses the foot and supports the arch)
+== Function ==
+The arches of the foot are essential in:
+* Supporting body weight in various postures
+* Absorbing impact during locomotion
+* Distributing pressure evenly
+* Assisting in propulsion during gait
+The medial arch specifically accommodates soft tissue structures such as the [[plantar aponeurosis]], which acts as a spring to absorb and release energy, making gait more efficient and protecting the musculoskeletal system from overuse injuries.
+== Clinical Significance ==
+* Flattening of the arches results in [[pes planus]] (flat feet), which may cause pain or impaired gait.
+* Exaggeration results in [[pes cavus]], leading to instability or increased risk of injury.
+* The arches are tested during physical examination and gait analysis and may be supported with [[orthotic]] devices.
+== Additional Images ==
+<gallery>
+File:Gray290.png|Skeleton of foot - medial aspect
+File:Gray291.png|Skeleton of foot - lateral aspect
+File:Arches of the foot.jpg|Photograph showing arch structure
+</gallery>
+== Bibliography ==
+* R. Fick: ''Handbuch der Anatomie und Mechanik der Gelenke'' (Bardeleben’s Handbuch der Anatomie)
+== External Links ==
 * [http://www.gla.ac.uk/ibls/fab/tutorial/anatomy/arch1.html Overview at gla.ac.uk]
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140307220754/http://www.gla.ac.uk/t4/~fbls/files/fab/tutorial/anatomy/arch1.html The Arches of the Foot]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140307220754/http://www.gla.ac.uk/t4/~fbls/files/fab/tutorial/anatomy/arch1.html Arches of the Foot – Archive]
-* [http://danceproject.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/foot_arches.jpg Arches of the foot]
+* [http://danceproject.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/foot_arches.jpg Arches diagram]
 {{Joints of lower limbs}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Arches Of The Foot}}
 [[Category:Foot]]
-{{grays}}
+[[Category:Skeletal system]]
-__NOINDEX__
+[[Category:Anatomy of the lower limb]]
+[[Category:Ligaments]]
+{{grays adapted}}