Question

Sit on a table with the knee flexed over the edge. Gently plantar flex the ankle. What other movements occur in the foot during this plantar flexion? In what articulations do these movements occur? Why are they associated with plantar flexion?

Answer 1

In addition to plantar flexion at the talocrural joint, inversion and eversion occur at the subtalar and intertarsal joints associated with plantar flexion due to the involvement of common foot muscles and ligaments.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you gently plantar flex the ankle while sitting on a table with the knee flexed over the edge, movements such as inversion and eversion can occur in the foot at the subtalar and intertarsal joints. Plantar flexion involves bending at the ankle to lift the heel off the ground, like when standing on your toes. This movement takes place primarily in the talocrural joint, which is a hin-ge joint formed by the articulation between the talus bone and the ends of the tibia and fibula. The subtalar joint, between the talus and calcaneus, along with other intertarsal joints, allows for eversion and inversion. These movements are associated with plantar flexion because they are facilitated by the same muscles and ligaments supporting the ankle and foot during such movements.