Plantar flexion

Plantar flexion is a movement in which the top of your foot points away from your leg. You use plantar flexion whenever you stand on the tip of your toes or point your toes.

Anatomy

Plantar flexion involves two joints in your foot: the ankle joint and the subtalar joint. The ankle joint is responsible for moving your foot up and down, while the subtalar joint allows your foot to move side to side.

The muscles involved in plantar flexion include the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles. These muscles are located in the back of your lower leg and are collectively known as the calf muscles. They attach to the Achilles tendon, which connects to the heel bone.

Function

The primary function of plantar flexion is to allow for movement and balance. It plays a crucial role in activities such as walking, running, jumping, and standing on your toes.

Plantar flexion also helps to maintain balance while standing or walking by adjusting the position of the foot to accommodate changes in terrain or direction.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities or injuries to the muscles and joints involved in plantar flexion can lead to a variety of conditions, including ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis.

Ankle sprains are a common injury that can occur when the ankle is twisted or turned in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the ligaments that help hold the ankle bones together.

Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone.

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain that involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes (plantar fascia).

See also

• Dorsiflexion
• Foot
• Ankle
• Gait (human)

References

Plantar flexion Resources
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