DPM Anatomy & Physiology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which tarsal bone articulates with both the tibia and fibula to form the ankle mortise?
- Calcaneus
- Navicular
- Talus (Correct answer)
- Cuboid
Correct answer: Talus
The talus is the only tarsal bone that articulates with the tibia and fibula superiorly, forming the talocrural (ankle) joint.
Question 2: The plantar aponeurosis originates from which structure?
- Sustentaculum tali
- Medial calcaneal tuberosity (Correct answer)
- Base of the fifth metatarsal
- Navicular tuberosity
Correct answer: Medial calcaneal tuberosity
The plantar aponeurosis originates from the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity and fans out to the metatarsal heads.
Question 3: Which muscle is the primary plantarflexor of the foot and is innervated by the tibial nerve?
- Tibialis anterior
- Peroneus longus
- Gastrocnemius (Correct answer)
- Extensor digitorum longus
Correct answer: Gastrocnemius
The gastrocnemius is the primary plantarflexor, crossing both the knee and ankle, and is innervated by the tibial nerve (S1-S2).
Question 4: The sinus tarsi is a canal between which two bones?
- Tibia and talus
- Talus and calcaneus (Correct answer)
- Navicular and cuboid
- Calcaneus and cuboid
Correct answer: Talus and calcaneus
The sinus tarsi is a cone-shaped canal located between the talus and calcaneus, containing the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament.
Question 5: Which nerve provides sensation to the first web space of the dorsum of the foot?
- Sural nerve
- Deep peroneal nerve (Correct answer)
- Superficial peroneal nerve
- Saphenous nerve
Correct answer: Deep peroneal nerve
The deep peroneal nerve provides cutaneous sensation exclusively to the first web space on the dorsum of the foot.
Question 6: The Lisfranc joint complex refers to articulations between which structures?
- Talus and navicular
- Calcaneus and cuboid
- Tarsometatarsal joints (Correct answer)
- Metatarsophalangeal joints
Correct answer: Tarsometatarsal joints
The Lisfranc joint complex includes all five tarsometatarsal joints, with the Lisfranc ligament connecting the medial cuneiform to the second metatarsal base.
Question 7: Which intrinsic muscle of the foot abducts the fifth toe and is innervated by the lateral plantar nerve?
- Abductor hallucis
- Flexor digitorum brevis
- Abductor digiti minimi (Correct answer)
- Plantar interosseous
Correct answer: Abductor digiti minimi
The abductor digiti minimi abducts the fifth toe and is innervated by the superficial branch of the lateral plantar nerve.
DPM Anatomy & Physiology 2
Which tarsal bone articulates with both the tibia and fibula to form the ankle mortise?