AN20.1-10 | General Features, Joints, radiographs & surface marking (Lower Limb) — Glossary

A synovial hinge joint between the tibial-fibular mortise and the talar trochlea, allowing plantarflexion and dorsiflexion

The strong fan-shaped medial ligament of the ankle with four parts, resisting eversion; rarely torn alone

Anterior talofibular ligament, the weakest and most commonly torn lateral ankle ligament in inversion sprains

The joint between the talus and calcaneus, the primary joint for inversion and eversion of the foot

The transverse tarsal joint comprising the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints, an amputation level preserving the hindfoot

The deep fascia of the thigh, thickened laterally as the iliotibial tract

The longest vein in the body, running from the dorsal venous arch anterior to the medial malleolus to the saphenous opening

A superficial vein running posterior to the lateral malleolus up the midline posterior leg to the popliteal vein

Dilated tortuous superficial veins from valve incompetence, most commonly affecting the GSV system

The fossa ovalis, an oval deficiency in fascia lata 4 cm below the pubic tubercle where the GSV enters the femoral vein

Veins with one-way valves connecting superficial to deep venous systems; incompetence causes localised varicose veins

Lymph nodes in the femoral triangle draining the lower limb (vertical group) and perineum/lower abdominal wall (horizontal group)

A fracture-dislocation of the ankle involving malleolar fractures from inversion or eversion forces

Classification of lateral malleolus fractures relative to the syndesmosis: A (below), B (at), C (above — most unstable)

An ankle radiograph with 15-20 degree internal rotation giving a true AP view of the ankle mortise

The angle on lateral calcaneal X-ray between tuberosity-posterior facet and anterior process-posterior facet; normal 20-40 degrees, reduced in fracture

The space between the medial malleolus and medial talar surface on mortise view; greater than 4mm indicates deltoid rupture

A tourniquet test for varicose veins that localises the level of valve incompetence by sequential compression and release

Emergency venous access obtained by incising anterior to the medial malleolus where the GSV has a predictable anatomical position

The uppermost deep inguinal lymph node within the femoral canal

A 90-degree medial rotation during embryological development that explains why extensors are anterior and the great toe is medial

A congenital condition with a shallow acetabulum and femoral head subluxation, detected by Ortolani and Barlow tests in neonates