Fig. 201. Tarsal and Metatarsal Articulations. Right Side. 



The preparation is of a frozen foot in extreme plantar flexion; the minimmn 

 of tissue necessary to thoroughly expose the joints has been removed witli a chisel. 



The Tarsal Bones articulate with each other, with the Bones of the Leg 

 and with the Metatarsal Bones, forming as a rule 8 separate joint-cavities of which 

 some are verj' simple (where onl)- two articular surfaces take part in the joint), 

 others are very complicated (where several joint-spaces combine to form one joint- 

 cavit}' by communication). In the latter case, disease spreads rapidly from one 

 articulation into the communicating joints whereas disease of a simple cavit}' mav 

 remain localized. 



The separate joint-cavities are: 



1. Ankle-joint, between the Astragalus, Tibia and Fibula with an upward 

 recess between the Tibia and Fibula. 



2. Posterior Calcaneo-Astragaloid Joint (Fig. 199). 



3. Articulation between the A.stragalus on the one hand with the Scaphoid 

 and Os Calcis on the other hand (Fig. 199). The Head of the Astragalus lies in 

 a socket formed by the Scaphoid, Calcaneo-Scaphoid Ligament and the Anterior 

 Part of the Os Calcis. 



4. Joint between Os Calcis and Cuboid; the inner extremitj^ of this joint 

 lies exactly opposite the outer end of the former (3) separated only by the Calcaneo- 

 cuboid Ligament. The foot can be easily disarticulated at this S-shaped articulation 

 the Astragalus and Os Calcis being left behind. (Disarticulation after Chopart.) 

 It is to be noticed that this joint consists of 2 separate joint-cavities so that, in 

 disease, one may be affected without the other. 



5. Small Articulation between the Cuboid and External Cuneiform. 



6. Verj' complex Joint-cavit}' between Scaphoid and the 3 Cuneiforms, 

 between the contiguous Cuneiforms, between the Middle and External Cuneiforms 

 and the bases of the 2nd and 3rd Metatarsals and between the bases of these 

 Metatarsals. 



7. Joint between ist Metatarsal and the Internal Cuneiform. 



8. Joint between the Cuboid and the 4th and 5th Metatarsals. 



The joints between the 5 Metatarsals on the one hand and the 3 Cuneiforms 

 and the Cuboid on the other form a curved line which is only interrupted by the 

 proximal projection of the 2nd Metatarsal to the extent of ^/jths inch. Disarticulation 

 of the Metatarsals after LiSFRANC can be performed at this line. 



