Joints and ligaments of the foot
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Identify the main joints of the foot.
- List the main ligaments of the foot.
Watch video
The foot has a complex structure with many bones and joints which require its numerous ligaments and supporting structures to help stabilize and enable optimal movement of the foot. The ligaments of the foot are categorized according to their associated joints, with each joint of the foot containing two or more ligaments. Conveniently, most ligaments are named according to their position relative to the joint they support e.g., dorsal, plantar and interosseous cuboideonavicular ligaments.
Watch this video for a comprehensive review of all the ligaments of the foot and their associated joints!
Take a quiz
That was a lot of information, try out the quiz below to make all that knowledge stick!
If you want to be tested on the wider anatomy of the ankle and foot, customize your own quiz and get questions on topics such as muscles, arteries, nerves and other structures.
Browse atlas
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/3320/Ks93HT7nUDWdrKBY2YLJRQ_26_foot-joints-lateral_english.jpg){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/286/5NCq5qKeisx718laFyNDWQ_foot-ligaments-lateral_english.jpg){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/3311/3EmVKuykq9zEFahBQoVWdw_ligaments-of-the-foot_medial_english.jpg){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/3316/HXMbYjf08hjTIdOTSX83tA_ligaments-of-the-foot_plantar_english.jpg){kind=logo}
Take a closer look at the joints and ligaments of the foot in the galleries below.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/subtalar-joint/fTuIk4Lu31NLXoIXTlR0Yg_Subtalar_joint_2.png "Subtalar joint (Articulatio subtalaris); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/subtalar-joint-4/wSlpP29q0bLGuqY7jOCb5g_Subtalar_joint-1.png "Subtalar joint (Articulatio subtalaris); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/subtalar-joint-1/GpNvES0i0MVn6fONKfb2w_subtalar_joint.png "Subtalar joint (Articulatio subtalaris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/transverse-tarsal-joint/p9M2zA5qPmF2YiaXN8kQ_Calcaneocuboid_and_talonavicular_joints.png "Transverse tarsal joint (Articulatio transversa tarsi); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/transverse-tarsal-joint-1/IilsLMOcdY1zIkrIimEg_Transverse_tarsal_joint_magnified.png "Transverse tarsal joint (Articulatio transversa tarsi); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/talocalcaneonavicular-joint/sQUwvIgW0t0Ehct2ZBHw_Talocalcaneonavicular_joint_lateral_viewV1mag.png "Talocalcaneonavicular joint (Articulatio talocalcaneonavicularis); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/talocalcaneonavicular-joint-1/OaFxfy30HEphaeLWB2rMA_Talocalcaneonavicular_joint_medial_view_magnified.png "Talocalcaneonavicular joint (Articulatio talocalcaneonavicularis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/calcaneocuboid-joint/KPszyJqQ8DTzwYsj9vDtqg_Calcaneocuboid_joint.png "Calcaneocuboid joint (Articulatio calcaneocuboidea); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/cuneonavicular-joint/7AyqqUBHOJWSw9BwXhPLYQ_Cuneonavicular_joint.jpg "Cuneonavicular joint (Articulatio cuneonavicularis); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/cuneocuboid-joint/rTBGdECn5IYEUENXhXqRg_Cuneocuboid_joint.jpg "Cuneocuboid joint (Articularis cuneocuboidea); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/cuboideonavicular-joint/7AyqqUBHOJWSw9BwXhPLYQ_Cuneonavicular_joint.jpg "Cuboideonavicular joint (Articularis cuboideonavicularis); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/intercuneiform-joints/iGWRhhNGM2b7E6xol05gw_Intercuneiform_joints.jpg "Intercuneiform joints (Articulationes intercuneiformes); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tarsometatarsal-joints/KQbTE8h14LBhG6kz1D8cvQ_tarsometatarsal-joints-2.jpg "Tarsometatarsal joints (Articulationes tarsometatarseae); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/intermetatarsal-joints/xAz4rgYWLgi1nchk6MKBFg_Intermetatarsal_joints.jpg "Intermetatarsal joints (Articulationes intermetatarseae); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/metatarsophalangeal-joints-2/F6Ik7Gixu8mXifVmuRCPw_metatarsophalangeal_1-5.png "Metatarsophalangeal joints (Articulationes metatarsophalangeae); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/interphalangeal-articulations-of-foot/JMigdVp5to3wTy4LnAZrg_Interphalangeal_foot_02.png "Interphalangeal joints of foot (Articulationes interphalangeae pedis); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/medial-talocalcaneal-ligament/prpjfZM0xkEqI61twjxImA_medial_talocalcaneal_ligament.png "Medial talocalcaneal ligament (Ligamentum talocalcaneum mediale); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lateral-talocalcaneal-ligament/vfsKBZQBlBI7kFU8hqViw_lateral_talocalcaneal_ligament.png "Lateral talocalcaneal ligament (Ligamentum talocalcaneum laterale); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/interosseous-talocalcaneal-ligament/MTt1a0FNBLYDLGvxbtyhWQ_interosseous_talocalcaneal_ligament.png "Talocalcaneal interosseous ligament (Ligamentum talocalcaneum interosseum); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/dorsal-talonavicular-ligament/XWXGRIMZP6CoVwgU9mHVIg_dorsal_talonavicular_ligament.png "Talonavicular ligament (Ligamentum talonaviculare); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/calcaneonavicular-ligament/4y6NrGK4IdyqdMJ50Z2Iaw_calcaneonavicular_ligament.png "Calcaneonavicular ligament (Ligamentum calcaneonaviculare); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/plantar-calcaneonavicular-ligament/tSJIVlvw7OI7W0OPvdjMHQ_plantar_calcaneonavicular_ligament.png "Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament (Ligamentum calcaneonaviculare plantare); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/calcaneocuboid-ligament/F1f52ja32X08kEMjxg_calcaneocuboid_ligament.png "Calcaneocuboid ligament (Ligamentum calcaneocuboideum); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/plantar-calcaneocuboid-ligament/TjAwq6FqvV9lQZDHq9hPSg_Plantar_calcaneocuboid_ligament.png "Plantar calcaneocuboid ligament (Ligamentum calcaneocuboideum plantare); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/dorsal-calcaneocuboid-ligament/3ArbXqc97oH1yHWF8BXaPg_dorsal_calcaneocuboid_ligament.png "Dorsal calcaneocuboid ligament (Ligamentum calcaneocuboideum dorsale); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/long-plantar-ligament-1/cnzztSbT8Ka2QoRm8jQ_long-plantar-ligament-1.png "Long plantar ligament (Ligamentum plantare longum); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/plantar-cuboideonavicular-ligament/bZj43YpdeaLS2taXpqI2Dw_Plantar_cuboideonavicular_ligament.png "Plantar cuboideonavicular ligament (Ligamentum cuboideonaviculare plantare); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/dorsal-cuboideonavicular-ligament/ZHQYlZkOqelkkv2o8qTNA_dorsal_cuboideonavicular_ligament.png "Dorsal cuboideonavicular ligament (Ligamentum cuboideonaviculare dorsale); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/dorsal-cuneonavicular-ligament/EZSEqLMnpqxKwIfuj4cKKA_dorsal_cuneonavicular_ligament.png "Dorsal cuneonavicular ligaments (Ligamenta cuneonavicularia dorsalia); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/dorsal-cuneocuboid-ligament/QcQhonoQOowdjuaLu59NZg_dorsal_cuneocubuoid_ligament.png "Dorsal cuneocuboid ligament (Ligamentum cuneocuboideum dorsale); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/plantar-cuneocuboid-ligament/wcMz3KV1DUeo92djkJhSA_Plantar_cuneocuboid_ligament.png "Plantar cuneocuboid ligament (Ligamentum cuneocuboideum plantare); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/dorsal-intercuneiform-ligament/Rs7hyOHKCaB2CfRntjuqw_dorsal_intercuneiform_ligament.png "Dorsal intercuneiform ligament (Ligamentum intercuneiforme dorsale); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/plantar-intercuneiform-ligaments/jsdWdbpoSkvR5QVsPJ2w_Plantar_intercuneiform_ligaments.png "Plantar intercuneiform ligaments (Ligamenta intercuneiformia plantaria); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/dorsal-tarsometatarsal-ligament/5FOiJ8DM8wfYl3k0yrRNyg_dorsal_tarsometatarsal_ligaments.png "Dorsal tarsometatarsal ligaments (Ligamenta tarsometatarsea dorsalia); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/plantar-tarsometatarsal-ligaments/ySGH7Jq9mnxkx63uBH5o9Q_Plantar_tarsometatarsal_ligaments.png "Plantar tarsometatarsal ligaments (Ligamenta tarsometatarsea plantaria); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/dorsal-metatarsal-ligaments/8td6zCJzh3N4AHzhQEVfOA_dorsal_metatarsal_ligaments.png "Dorsal metatarsal ligaments (Ligamenta metatarsea dorsalia); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/plantar-ligaments-of-metatarsophalangeal-joints/1orVHHi3WIHiaQ9FVbWcVA_Plantar_ligaments_of_metatarsophalangeal_joint.png "Plantar metatarsophalangeal ligaments (Ligamenta metatarsophalangea plantaria); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/plantar-metatarsal-ligaments/kxmyxkSQW2FP2ZzhtolA_Plantar_metatarsal_ligaments.png "Plantar metatarsal ligaments (Ligamenta metatarsea plantaria); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/deep-transverse-metatarsal-ligament/3suomvVNIXGZi8wwFtffYQ_Deep_transverse_metatarsal_ligaments.png "Deep transverse metatarsal ligament (Ligamentum metatarseum transversum profundum); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/collateral-ligaments-of-interphalageal-joints-of-foot/Z7f5hc4ashbzjPMO6PaPw_Collateral_interphalangeal_ligaments.png "Collateral ligaments of interphalangeal joints of foot (Ligamenta interphalangea collateralia pedis); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Talocalcaneal joint | Medial, lateral, posterior, interosseous and anterior talocalcaneal ligaments |
| Talocalcaneo-navicular joint | [Dorsal] talonavicular ligament, plantar calcaneonavicular ligament |
| Calcaneocuboid joint | Calcaneocuboid, dorsal calcaneocuboid, plantar calcaneocuboid, long plantar ligaments |
| Cuboideonavicular joint | Dorsal cuboideonavicular, plantar cuboideonavicular, interosseous cuboideonavicular ligaments |
| Cuneonavicular joint | Dorsal cuneonavicular (3), plantar cuneonavicular (3), medial cuneonavicular ligaments |
| Cuneocuboid joints | Dorsal cuneocuboid, plantar cuneocuboid, interosseous cuneocuboid ligaments |
| Intercuneiform joints | Dorsal (2), interosseous (2) and plantar intercuneiform ligaments (1 or 2) |
| Tarsometatarsal joint | Dorsal and plantar tarsometatarsal, cuneometatarsal interosseous ligaments |
| Intermetatarsal joints | Dorsal, plantar, and interosseous metatarsal ligaments |
| Metatarsophalangeal joints | Plantar and collateral metatarsophalangeal, deep transverse metatarsal ligaments |
| Interphalangeal joints of foot | Plantar and collateral interphalangeal ligaments |
Well done!
Related articles
:format(jpeg)/images/article/ankle-and-foot-anatomy/iKD5WUgVnBxOekMPKY06yQ_537_m_lumbricales_fkt.png)
:format(jpeg)/images/article/joints-and-ligaments-of-the-foot/kH16Eu1gKlYvQmh5Rg5iw_FSxD6xbMGeEAjHoFkRzaRQ_Ankle_01.png)
Continue your learning
Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!
