The structure of the ankle of a person’s legs is quite complex, because in many respects it is thanks to this element of the musculoskeletal system that we can maintain a vertical position and move normally. The name itself is already directly related to the purpose of the body - it binds the foot, lower leg. If the structure of the ankle of the leg is not broken, there were no injuries, the body developed normally, a person can lead a mobile life. In case of impaired functioning, this is often possible only with significant restrictions, or a person is completely deprived of the ability to move without external assistance.
Joint: main components
Modern anatomy suggests highlighting the complex structure of the ankle ligament. Currently, it is customary to talk about the front, back, outer and inner parts. The front goes into the foot (the back), but the back is where the tendons are located. If, studying the structure of the ankle, a photo of this area is considered in full detail, the ankle will surely attract attention. Anatomy speaks of the existence of four ankles in humans: the lateral, lateral form the outer part of the ankle, and the medial, middle one forms it inside.
Structural features
As you know from anatomy, the structure of the ankle muscles is quite complex - there are many small elements that make it possible for a person to move. In addition to muscles, there are ligaments, bone elements, cartilage. Thanks to this joint, the connection of the tibia and tibia, talus, and heel is ensured. The structure of the ankle bones is largely due to the characteristics of the elements with which they are in contact. So, tibia ends with a thickened part, this allows them to cover the talus bones. This is what forms the part of the leg called the ankle.
If we study from a photo the structure of the human ankle, ligaments and bones of this element, it will be seen that the element is convex from one edge and the opposite effect from the other - a hollow forms. The complex of bone fibers is protected from external harmful factors by cartilaginous tissue - elastic, smooth. This structure of the human ankle bones helps minimize friction and reduce the load accompanying movement. With shocks, tremors, the cartilage becomes a natural shock absorber, due to which the bones maintain a healthy state longer, and the bone tissue is minimally abrased.
Human ankle structure
Ankle legs in the ankle are a rather complex structure formed by several blocks. The outer one is created by the tibia (its distal edge) adjacent to two protruding elements. From the inside, the ankle block is formed by the anterior, posterior tubercles, a ligament in the form of a delta, fixed from the inside of the ankle.
Considering the structure of the human ankle, special attention is paid to the distal pineal gland. This element is where the tubular bone ends with an extension. The block is divided into front and back, and the first is much smaller in size than the second. Finally, the distal surface is the fourth major block making up the ankle. The structure of the human ankle is largely due to the characteristics of the tibia - its location and shape. In particular, it was she who formed the distal surface, curved in an arcuate manner, equipped with a process from the inside. There are also two growths looking in different directions.
Ankle: surface
The structure of the ankle involves the allocation of two surfaces of the ankle: medial, lateral. The second, in turn, is also formed by two elements: external, internal. Behind you can see a small depression, where short, long muscle fibers are attached, stretching to the tibia. The surface from the outside is the fascia, tendons on the sides. The structure of the ankle is quite complex, includes many elements, including hyaline cartilage, fixed just on the surface of the ankle from the inside. It also provides points for attaching the talus, designed to provide a connection between the bones of the lower leg and the calcaneus.
Ligaments and vessels
The structure of the ankle is also a rather complicated system of ligaments that fix the bones in the anatomically correct position and allow fixing them. In addition, it is thanks to these elements that it is possible to ensure the reliability of the construction of the human skeleton, including the ankle - the bones remain in their places even with increased loads. Ligaments are extremely important for the normal functioning of the body, and they are formed by bundles of special fibrous tissue. Human ligaments are elastic, therefore it is possible to bend, to unbend extremities, moving with observance of various amplitudes.
No less significant structural element of the ankle are the vessels, without which the limbs simply could not exist. Through them, blood is supplied to the tissues, providing nutrition, bringing useful trace elements and oxygen. No less significant are nerve fibers, quite dense in the ankle region, literally braiding an organ with a high-density network. In total, these elements are responsible for coordinated movements. But the muscles in the general case are not considered part of the ankle, at the same time, movement without such tissue would be impossible, and this is important to consider.
Ligaments: structural features
There are several types of ligaments necessary for the normal functioning of the ankle. One of the important parts is the fibers, thanks to which the tibia connects to each other. This block is motionless and is formed by several groups of ligaments. In particular, there are interosseous, responsible for the retention of all tibia, as well as the posterior lower, continuing it. Below the ligament there is also in front - anatomically correct, it is located between the ankle outside and the tibia. Thanks to this ligament, the foot can rotate, it also limits this movement. Finally, the tibia connecting fibers include a transverse ligament block. Their main task is to provide the ability to rotate the foot inward. This movement is also restricted. These fibers are located under the ligament from the bottom to the front.
Another important group of ankle-forming binder fibers is the outer lateral. This includes tissue in the form of a delta located on the inner surface of the organ. In fact, the ligaments provide the connection of the talus, calcaneus and bone in the form of a boat.
Muscular tissue: features
The ankle is in contact with several muscle groups responsible for a fairly wide range of functions. In particular, in order for the joints to bend, activation of the plantar, triceps muscles, as well as special flexors that provide the fingers and tibia muscle in the back is necessary. But extension is already a slightly different function, and for its implementation it is necessary to use extensor fibers and the tibia muscle located in front. To take the joint aside, the tibia, short muscle tissue is activated. For reduction, it is necessary to simultaneously engage the muscle in the back and the tibia in front.
Rotational movements are possible due to the activation of the tibia, extensor and muscle tissue located on the thumb. If you need a similar movement, but in the opposite direction (inward), you have to use muscle tissue: extensor (on the fingers), small long, short tibia. To move the fingers, the body activates the flexors, extensors, and also the short muscle tissue located on the sole and back of the foot. The arch of the foot is strengthened by lateral, medial muscle fibers, medium.
Joint: features of functioning
Due to the specific structure of the ankle allows the foot to be as mobile as possible. This is precisely its main functional load. As part of the anatomy, it is customary to distinguish two main aspects of the activity of this tissue block: tightness and production of the component necessary for the normal functioning of the fibers - synovial fluid. This substance is quite elastic, it is filled with the cavity of the body, visually resembling a bag.
If the ankle functions normally, in particular, the joint produces the prescribed fluid, and also guarantees tissue tightness, then the body has good, high-quality support, a person can move his legs without fear of pain, injuries or other troubles. To maintain the connection in the anatomically correct state, you need to protect your health. Doctors call for timely prevention of ankle diseases, since preventive measures are much simpler than the treatment of any disease, especially articular.
How to keep healthy?
According to statistics, ankle injuries are one of the most common injuries to the legs of a person. This is due to the large loads and vulnerability of this part of the limbs. The joint components, the foot, work not only at the moment when a person moves, but also when he is sitting, standing. Quite often fix a rupture of ligaments, sprains. There may be damage of a different nature. In recent years, cases of diagnosing orthopedic diseases have significantly increased.
In order for the joint to be in good condition for a long time, and the person could move without labor and pain, without restriction of mobility, it is important to choose good, comfortable shoes for yourself and regularly massage the foot. Limb diseases can be prevented by controlling your weight, avoiding excess kilograms. If a person is involved in sports, it is necessary to use special supportive stockings or to do bandaging with elastic material. This helps reduce and distribute the load, reduces the likelihood of injury. It is equally important to rationally approach the organization of the day, allocating time for work, rest, distributing all the time so that there is no overload on the articular, muscle, bone tissues. For pain, even mild, you must immediately make an appointment with a doctor to find out the cause. If a pathology begins, it is easier to eliminate it at first, than when it goes into a developed state, it will provoke complications.
Complex and vulnerable
Often, athletes call the ankle the vestibular apparatus of the lower extremities. This is due to the fact that it is thanks to this organ that a person can maintain balance by performing various movements. Of the other elements that form the musculoskeletal system, the ankle is considered almost the most difficult. And the durability, and the mechanics of movement - all in the area of his responsibility. Ankle is involved in jumping, running, walking. Its normal functioning allows you to squat, stand on tiptoe, while maintaining a stable upright position.
The complexity of the structure, the variety of functions assigned to organic tissue cause a tendency to injury. It is known that the more complex the system, the greater the likelihood of violating its functionality is higher, and the ankle is just a very, very complex combination of a huge number of elements carrying different functional loads.
Common diseases
Currently, one of the most frequently diagnosed diagnoses in those who treat limb pain is arthritis. This is an inflammation that affects the ankle, proceeding in a chronic form or acute. The region is also affected by osteoarthritis, in which cartilage tissue degradation is detected, which negatively affects the mobility of the elements.
Diseases develop for a wide range of reasons. Often, it’s all about age - over the years, organic tissues wear out, become thinner, and a person loses mobility, he is tormented by pain. The load, injuries that affected osteoporosis in this area can play a role. Often the problem is provoked by general metabolic disorders of the body, as well as pathologies that cause this trouble. Autoimmune disorders of health, which are characterized by an incorrect choice of “enemies” by the cells of the immune system, are also dangerous for the ankle. It is known that in a number of diseases, immunity "fights" with its own body. This is characteristic not only for HIV, but also for systemic lupus erythematosus, some other pathologies. A genetic predisposition can play a role: the tendency to damage the joints is inherited.
Ankle injuries: what statistics says
As can be seen from the information collected by medicine, injuries of the tibia (fractures, cracks), as well as dislocations, subluxations are most often detected. It so happened that at first many people do not pay attention to the manifestations of the result of a fall, shock and go to the doctor when the situation becomes difficult. Doctors urge: if after a jump or other dangerous situation in the ankle, the ankle is bothered by pain (even mild) that lasts several days, you need to visit a traumatologist. Often the pain is accompanied by swelling - sometimes barely noticeable, sometimes pronounced.
Symptoms usually indicate a cracked bone. If the joint ending is affected, the joint cavity may be deformed. This leads to serious impaired mobility, and in the advanced case there is a risk that the process cannot be reversed - a person will suffer from pain all his life.