The joint whose primary motion is dorsiflexion is which?

The joint whose primary motion is dorsiflexion is which?

• A. Tarsometatarsal joint
• B. Subtalar joint
• C. Tibia and fibula joint
• D. Talocrural joint

Answer: (D)

Dorsiflexion is the action of lifting the front of the foot toward the shin. The joint that does this most prominently is the talocrural joint, the ankle joint where the tibia and fibula meet the talus. It’s a hinge-type joint whose shape and supporting ligaments allow mainly sagittal-plane motion: dorsiflexion and its counterpart, plantarflexion. The other joints mentioned are associated with different movements: the subtalar joint handles inversion and eversion of the foot; the tarsometatarsal joints contribute to midfoot flexibility with only limited dorsiflexion/plantarflexion; and the distal tibiofibular joint is a sturdy syndesmosis that provides stability rather than major motion. So, primary dorsiflexion occurs at the talocrural joint.

Dorsiflexion is the action of lifting the front of the foot toward the shin. The joint that does this most prominently is the talocrural joint, the ankle joint where the tibia and fibula meet the talus. It’s a hinge-type joint whose shape and supporting ligaments allow mainly sagittal-plane motion: dorsiflexion and its counterpart, plantarflexion. The other joints mentioned are associated with different movements: the subtalar joint handles inversion and eversion of the foot; the tarsometatarsal joints contribute to midfoot flexibility with only limited dorsiflexion/plantarflexion; and the distal tibiofibular joint is a sturdy syndesmosis that provides stability rather than major motion. So, primary dorsiflexion occurs at the talocrural joint.