1. Part III: the Knee, Ankle, & Foot
Anatomy Review
Part III: the Knee, Ankle, & Foot
Jan McElroy PT, MS, PCS 2009
Do not copy without permission

2. Knee

3. Knee: skeletal system

4. Overview The knee joint connects: the femur superiorly Patella to the
Tibia and fibula inferiorly
Knee movements are primarily in the sagittal plane: flexion & extension
Patella
(or knee cap)
Femur
Fibula
Tibia
Anterior view
Right knee

5. Femur: landmarks Medial condyle Lateral condyle Intercondylar fossa
epicondyle
Lateral
Patellar surface
Left Femur-
Posterior view
Left Femur-
Anterior view

6. Tibia & fibula: landmarks
Medial condyle
Lateral condyle
Tuberosity
Tibial plateau
Head of the
fibula
FIBULA
Right knee
Anterior view
Right knee -
Posterior view

7. Knee: muscular system

8. Anterior muscles of the Knee
Quadriceps (rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedialis
Anterior muscles of the Knee
Note:
The rectus femoris is the only muscle of the quadriceps group that crossed both the hip and the knee. Referred to as a
“2 joint muscle”.
Anterior view
right thigh
From:
Novartis Interactive Atlas,
Frank Netter artist

9. Posterior muscles of knee
Hamstrings
Biceps femoris
Semitendinosus
semimembranosus
Note: All of the hamstrings cross both the hip joint and the knee joint. They are all referred to as “2 joint muscles”.
Posterior view
right thigh

10. Posterior muscles of knee
Gastrocnemius
Lateral head
Medial head
Note: The gastrocnemius crosses both the knee and the ankle making it a “2 joint muscle”.
Posterior view
right thigh

11. Ankle & Foot

12. Ankle & Foot: skeletal system

13. Overview The distal end of the fibula forms the lateral malleolus
The distal end of the tibia forms the
medial malleolus
Anterior view
Right foot & ankle

14. Overview The foot is divided into 3 general regions: Midfoot Forefoot
Tibia
Fibula
Midfoot
Forefoot
Hindfoot
Lateral view
Right foot & ankle

15. Hindfoot The Hindfoot consist of 2 bones:
Calcaneus (heel bone) & Talus
Tibia
Fibula
Hindfoot
Lateral view
Right foot & ankle

16. midfoot The midfoot consists of 5 small bones: Navicular Cuboid &
3 Cuneiforms
These 5 bones of the midfoot are called Tarsals
Superior view
Left foot

17. forefoot The forefoot consists of: 5 Metatarsals (first thru 5th) &
5 proximal phalanges
4 middle phalanges
(the “big toe” only has a proximal and a distal…no middle phalange)
5 distal phalanges

18. Joints of the foot Talocrural joint Subtalar joint Midtarsal joint
(ankle joint)
tibia, fibula, talus
Subtalar joint
talus, calcaneus
Midtarsal joint
calcaneocuboid,
talonavicular
Tarsometatarsal
joints
Metatarsophalangeal
joints

19. Ankle & Foot: muscular system

20. Anterior lower leg
Tibialis Anterior (commonly called the anterior tib)
Peroneus longus
Extensor digitorum
longus (digitorum
refers to the digits or
“toes”)
Anterior view
Right leg
From: Novartis Interactive Atlas,
Frank Netter artist

21. Posterior lower leg Gastrocnemius (often called the Achilles tendon
(also called the “heel
cord”)
Soleus
Note: though the gastroc and soleus both insert into the achilles tendon, the soleus only crosses the ankle joint…while the gastroc is a 2 joint muscle crossing both the knee and the ankle.
Posterior view
Right leg
From: Novartis Interactive Atlas,
Frank Netter artist

22. Recommended References:
Atlas of Human Anatomy, Frank Netter
McMinn’s Color Atlas of Human Anatomy, Abrahams, Hutchings, & Marks
Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System, Donald Neumann
Anatomy Coloring Book, Kapit & Elson