Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Overview of the Foot and Ankle


The human foot serves as the foundation of the body, combining mechanical complexity and structural strength. The ankle specifically serves as the shock absorber and propulsion engine of the body. The foot and ankle are designed to sustain enormous pressure while providing flexibility and resiliency.

The foot and ankle are made up of…

  • 26 bones (One-quarter of the bones in the human body are in the feet);
  • 33 joints;
  • More than 100 muscles, tendons (fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones), and ligaments (fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones); and
  • A network of blood vessels, nerves, skin and soft tissue.

These components work together to provide the body with support, balance, and mobility. A structural flaw or malfunction in any one part can result in the development of problems elsewhere in the body.

4 comments:

  1. Great information! Love to read your blogs!

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  2. Dr. Bob,

    What a fascinating post on the Overview of the foot and ankle! The picture illustrates the complexity of the anatomy. No wonder a lot of people have foot problems.

    The articles ties in with your prior posts about supination and pronation. Keep up the good work!

    Best Regards

    Pete Baca
    The Car Enthusiast Online

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  3. Candy,
    Thank you for the positive feedback. Please come back and visit my site.

    Dr.Bob

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  4. Thank you Pete,
    The foot is a sore subject for most people. Take care of your feet and your quality of life improves.

    Dr. Bob Feel Good

    ReplyDelete