PC Podiatrist Foot & Ankle Structure 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 superiorly with the tibia and fibula, forming the ankle (talocrural) mortise joint.
Question 2: The sustentaculum tali is a bony shelf found on which tarsal bone?
- Talus
- Calcaneus (Correct answer)
- Navicular
- Medial cuneiform
Correct answer: Calcaneus
The sustentaculum tali is a medial shelf of the calcaneus that supports the talus and provides attachment for several ligaments and tendons.
Question 3: Which intrinsic foot muscle originates from the plantar aponeurosis and inserts into the proximal phalanges, flexing the MTP joints?
- Lumbricals
- Flexor digitorum brevis (Correct answer)
- Abductor hallucis
- Interossei
Correct answer: Flexor digitorum brevis
The flexor digitorum brevis originates from the calcaneal tuberosity and plantar aponeurosis and inserts into the middle phalanges, flexing the lesser toes at the PIP joints.
Question 4: The Lisfranc joint complex includes articulations between the metatarsals and which set of bones?
- Phalanges
- Cuneiforms and cuboid (Correct answer)
- Calcaneus and cuboid
- Talus and navicular
Correct answer: Cuneiforms and cuboid
The Lisfranc (tarsometatarsal) joint complex consists of the articulations between the five metatarsal bases and the three cuneiforms plus the cuboid.
Question 5: Which nerve provides sensory innervation to the first web space on 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 (fibular) nerve supplies sensory innervation to only the first dorsal web space between the hallux and second toe.
Question 6: The peroneus longus tendon passes beneath which structure to reach its insertion on the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal base?
- Superior extensor retinaculum
- Plantar fascia
- Cuboid groove (Correct answer)
- Spring ligament
Correct answer: Cuboid groove
The peroneus longus tendon courses plantarly around the lateral foot, traverses the groove on the plantar surface of the cuboid, and inserts on the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal base.
Question 7: In the foot, which layer of the plantar intrinsic muscles contains the adductor hallucis?
- First (most superficial) layer
- Second layer
- Third layer (Correct answer)
- Fourth (deepest) layer
Correct answer: Third layer
The adductor hallucis (with its oblique and transverse heads) lies in the third plantar layer, alongside the flexor hallucis brevis and flexor digiti minimi brevis.
PC Podiatrist Foot & Ankle Structure 2
Which tarsal bone articulates with both the tibia and fibula to form the ankle mortise?