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Chapter-33 ARCHES OF FOOT (Figures 429A to C)

BOOK TITLE: Kadasne’s Textbook of Anatomy (Clinically Oriented): Volume 1: Upper and Lower Extremities

Author
1. Kadasne DK
ISBN
9788184484557
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/10433_33
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2009
Pages
7
Author Affiliations
1. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, DMIMS (a Deemed University), Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (A Deemed University), Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India
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Abstract

Arches are the springs of the human body. They provide resilience, elasticity and efficiency which are useful for running, walking and jumping from the height. Arches help in distribution of weight. They act as shock absorber and protect the plantar nerves and the vessels, due to the concavity of the foot. Classification of arches: (1) longitudinal and (2) transverse. Longitudinal arches: (1) medial and the (2) lateral. Transverse arches of the foot: (1) Anterior and (2) Posterior. Arrangement of bones: Talus rides the calcaneus making the medial arch higher than the lateral. Talus articulate with the navicular bone and the navicular bone articulates with three cuneiforms. Interosseous ligament: They connect the adjoining bones and act as cementing material. They play an important part in maintaining the arches of the foot (Basu). Special ligaments: (1) Spring ligament and (2) Deltoid ligament. The tibialis anterior and the peroneus longus are inserted in to the base of the first metatarsal and the adjoining the part of the medial cuneiform bone, forming an ideal sling. Plantar aponeurosis: Plantar aponeurosis acts as tie beam for the arch. Bones taking part: (1) Calcaneus, (2) Cuboid, and (3) Two lateral metatarsals (fourth and the fifth). Transverse arches: They are the series of arches placed transversely from before backwards. They are complete in front as the heads of the first and the fifth metatarsals touch the ground. However they are incomplete posteriorly as half domes. Weight transmission in arches of foot: 50% of the weight is transferred to the posterior pillar and the 50% to the anterior. Out of the 50% weight transferred to the anterior pillar, 33% is shared by the medial longitudinal arch and the 17% by the lateral. Biomechanics of the arches: It can be explained by Newton’s third law “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction”. Weight of the body is supported by two ends of the arches. Action load has an equal and opposite ground reaction force.

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