DPM Anatomy & Physiology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The sustentaculum tali is a shelf-like projection of which bone?
- Talus
- Navicular
- Calcaneus (Correct answer)
- Cuboid
Correct answer: Calcaneus
The sustentaculum tali is a medial shelf projecting from the calcaneus that supports the head of the talus and provides attachment for the spring ligament.
Question 2: Which compartment of the leg contains the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles?
- Anterior compartment
- Deep posterior compartment
- Lateral compartment (Correct answer)
- Superficial posterior compartment
Correct answer: Lateral compartment
The lateral compartment of the leg contains the peroneus longus and brevis, both innervated by the superficial peroneal nerve.
Question 3: During the windlass mechanism, dorsiflexion of the hallux causes which effect on the medial longitudinal arch?
- Arch flattening
- Arch elevation (Correct answer)
- No change in arch height
- Lateral arch depression
Correct answer: Arch elevation
Dorsiflexion of the hallux tightens the plantar aponeurosis via the windlass mechanism, raising the medial longitudinal arch and supinating the foot.
Question 4: The posterior tibial artery divides into the medial and lateral plantar arteries at which location?
- Posterior to the medial malleolus
- At the tarsal tunnel
- At the level of the calcaneus (Correct answer)
- Beneath the flexor retinaculum near the navicular
Correct answer: At the level of the calcaneus
The posterior tibial artery divides into medial and lateral plantar arteries at the level of the calcaneus, just after passing through the tarsal tunnel.
Question 5: Which ligament connects the navicular to the calcaneus and supports the head of the talus?
- Deltoid ligament
- Calcaneofibular ligament
- Spring (calcaneonavicular plantar) ligament (Correct answer)
- Long plantar ligament
Correct answer: Spring (calcaneonavicular plantar) ligament
The spring ligament (plantar calcaneonavicular ligament) spans from the sustentaculum tali to the navicular, directly supporting the talar head.
Question 6: The flexor hallucis longus tendon passes through a groove on the posterior aspect of which bone?
- Calcaneus
- Navicular
- Talus (Correct answer)
- First metatarsal
Correct answer: Talus
The flexor hallucis longus tendon runs through a fibro-osseous groove on the posterior process of the talus before continuing to the hallux.
Question 7: Which layer of the plantar foot contains the flexor digitorum brevis?
- First layer (most superficial) (Correct answer)
- Second layer
- Third layer
- Fourth layer (deepest)
Correct answer: First layer (most superficial)
The first (most superficial) layer of the plantar foot contains abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, and abductor digiti minimi.
DPM Anatomy & Physiology 3
The sustentaculum tali is a shelf-like projection of which bone?