Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

298 Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology

W

ith this chapter we turn to the ankle and

the foot. The ankle serves as the connection

between the foot and leg, vital for translation of

forces and motion of the foot relative to the leg and

of the leg relative to the foot. The foot is a complex

structure that has evolved from a flexible grasping

organ to a relatively rigid structure, which allows it

to meet the demands associated with weight bearing

and locomotion. The presence of various arches

and the relative positioning of various joints allow

the foot to play the dual role of a rigid lever for pro-

pulsion and a flexible accommodating structure for

shock absorbency. One of the hallmarks of dancers is

the marked development of fine strength, fine articu-

lation, and range of motion of the feet in plantar

flexion as demonstrated in the photo on page 297

and as exemplified by pointe work. However, with

the large forces being generated at and absorbed by

the ankle-foot complex, it is not surprising that this

is the most common site of injury in dance.

This chapter will present basic anatomy and

mechanics of the ankle and foot that influence opti-

mal performance and the vulnerability of these joints

to injury. Topics covered will include the following:

• Bones and bony landmarks of the ankle and
  foot


• Joint structure and movements of the ankle and
  foot


• Description and functions of individual muscles
  of the ankle and foot


• Alignment and common deviations of the ankle
  and foot


• Mechanics of the ankle and foot


• Muscular analysis of fundamental movements of
  the ankle and foot


• Key considerations for the ankle and foot in whole
  body movement


• Special considerations for the ankle and foot in
  dance


• Conditioning exercises for the ankle and foot


• Ankle and foot injuries in dancers

Bones and Bony Landmarks of the Ankle and Foot

The tibia, fibula, and 26 bones of the feet all take

part in the various joints of the ankle and foot. The

bones of the feet are composed of 7 tarsals (G. tarsos,

sole of the foot), 5 metatarsals (G. meta, after), and

14 phalanges (L. phalanx, bone between two joints

of the toes or fingers) as seen in figure 6.1, which

help form arches that run across (transverse arch)

the foot and the length (longitudinal arches) of the

foot. In regard to specific bones, the tibia can be

easily palpated under the skin along the anterior

lower leg and hence is often casually termed the

“shinbone.” This bone is the larger, stronger, and

more medially located of the two lower leg bones.

It ends distally with a concave surface and a medial

projection that extends further inferiorly termed

the medial malleolus (L. malleus, hammer). The

projection of the medial malleolus can be easily

palpated on the medial side of the ankle (see figure

6.5, p. 303). The thinner, more laterally located

fibula also ends distally with a projection, termed

the lateral malleolus (figure 6.2B), that can readily

be palpated on the lateral side of the ankle. These

inferior structures of the tibia and fibula come in

FIGURE 6.1 Bones of the foot (right foot, superior view).