328 



INFERIOR EXTREMITY 



Syndesmosis Tibiofibularis (O.T. Inferior Tibio-fibular 

 Joint) (P^igs. 120 and 121). This articulation is constructed 

 upon a stronger plan, because the strength of the ankle-joint 

 very largely depends upon its security. In some cases a very 

 narrow strip of the distal part of each of the opposing surfaces 

 of the bones is articular and coated with cartilage, in other cases 

 articular cartilage is entirely absent. Above this the surfaces 

 are rough, and are held together by an exceedingly strong 

 interosseous ligament, composed of short fibres which pass 

 directly between the bones. 



FIG. 124. Vertical section through the Foot, along a line stretching from 

 the centre of the heel behind to the centre of the great toe in front. 

 (From Luschka. ) 



1. Tibia. 



2. Talus. 



3. Calcaneus. 



4. Navicular. 



5. First cuneiform. 



6. First metatarsal. 



7 & 8. Phalanges of hallux. 

 9. Sesamoid bone. 



10. Tendo calcaneus. 

 n. Bursa between tendo calcaneus and 

 calcaneus. 



12. Tendon of extensor hallucis longus. 



13. Tendon of flexor hallucis longus. 



14. Plantar aponeurosis (intermediate 



part). 



15. Thick superficial fascia of heel. 



In addition to this interosseous ligament -there are : 



1. Lig. malleoli lateralis anterius (O.T. Ant. inf. tibio-fibular ligament). 



2. Lig. malleoli lateralis posterius (O.T. Post. inf. tibio-fibular ligament). 



3. Inferior transverse ligament. 



The anterior and posterior ligaments are flat strong bands 

 which pass from the tibia to the fibula, in an oblique direc- 

 tion, laterally and distally. 



