DPM Foot & Ankle Anatomy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which tarsal bone articulates with both the tibia and fibula to form the mortise joint?
- Calcaneus
- Navicular
- Talus (Correct answer)
- Cuboid
Correct answer: Talus
The talus is the only tarsal bone that articulates superiorly with both the tibia and fibula to form the ankle mortise.
Question 2: The sinus tarsi is a canal located between which two bones?
- Talus and navicular
- Calcaneus and cuboid
- Talus and calcaneus (Correct answer)
- Navicular and cuneiform
Correct answer: Talus and calcaneus
The sinus tarsi (tarsal canal) is the lateral opening of the sulcus tali and sulcus calcanei between the talus and calcaneus.
Question 3: Which structure passes through the tarsal tunnel posterior to the medial malleolus?
- Peroneal tendons only
- Tibialis anterior tendon
- Posterior tibial neurovascular bundle (Correct answer)
- Extensor hallucis longus tendon
Correct answer: Posterior tibial neurovascular bundle
The tarsal tunnel contains the posterior tibial tendon, flexor digitorum longus, posterior tibial artery and nerve, and flexor hallucis longus (Tom, Dick, And Nervous Harry).
Question 4: The peroneal (fibular) trochlea is a small bony projection found on which bone?
- Fibula
- Talus
- Calcaneus (Correct answer)
- Cuboid
Correct answer: Calcaneus
The peroneal trochlea on the lateral calcaneus separates the peroneus brevis (superior) from the peroneus longus (inferior) tendons.
Question 5: Which intrinsic foot muscle originates from the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity and inserts into the proximal phalanx of the hallux?
- Flexor digitorum brevis
- Abductor hallucis (Correct answer)
- Flexor hallucis brevis
- Adductor hallucis
Correct answer: Abductor hallucis
Abductor hallucis originates from the medial calcaneal tuberosity and inserts into the medial base of the proximal phalanx of the hallux.
Question 6: The Lisfranc joint complex refers to which articulation in the foot?
- Subtalar joint
- Talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints
- Tarsometatarsal joints (Correct answer)
- Metatarsophalangeal joints
Correct answer: Tarsometatarsal joints
The Lisfranc joint complex comprises the tarsometatarsal (TMT) articulations between the three cuneiforms, cuboid, and five metatarsal bases.
Question 7: Which layer of the plantar foot contains the lumbricals?
- First (superficial) layer
- Second layer (Correct answer)
- Third layer
- Fourth (deep) layer
Correct answer: Second layer
The second layer of the plantar foot contains the quadratus plantae and the four lumbrical muscles.
DPM Foot & Ankle Anatomy 2
Which tarsal bone articulates with both the tibia and fibula to form the mortise joint?