How Much Do You Know About Foot and Ankle Anatomy?
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Your feet and ankles are highly developed, biomechanically complex structures. They support your entire body weight, making it possible for you to stand upright. This is a big job and it comes with big risks. Your feet and ankles are prone to injury and illness, but there is much that you can do to keep them safe and healthy. The more that you know about their anatomy, the easier this will be.
Each of your feet is made of 26 bones. Together, this is more than one-quarter of all the bones in your body!
The bones in your feet come together in 33 joints.
These joints include those in the medial arch, lateral arch, and fundamental longitudinal arch, which enable humans to be the only creatures that stand erect and walk on two feet.
Your bones are surrounded by soft tissue that includes 19 muscles and 107 ligaments.
The main nerve in the foot is called the tibial nerve.
The soles of the feet have a higher concentration of nerve endings than anywhere else except the palms of the hand, and are among the most sensitive areas on your body.
There is a thick layer of fatty tissue under the bones at the sole of the foot. This helps absorb the shock of each step.
The feet and legs are often the “canaries in the coal mine” of the body. That is, symptoms of other illnesses often manifest first in the feet. This is especially true of diabetes which is particularly dangerous to foot health.
The best way to ensure excellent foot health is to cultivate a regular relationship with a foot doctor.
Here at The Texas Foot Specialists, Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum provide expert and specialized care to address all of your foot and ankle needs. From conservative to advanced surgical treatments, you can always count on us for quality and compassionate care. Contact us online to make an appointment at one of our conveniently located offices in Sugar Land, Pasadena or Houston.