Surface Anatomy of the Foot

In this section, Cypress Foot and Ankle specialist Dr. Christopher Correa discusses Surface Anatomy of the foot and ankle. Foot structure and function are a complex network of 26 bones with numerous ligaments and tendons that work and move simultaneously during gait to absorb and store energy and, subsequently, convert that stored energy into kinetic energy to create smooth, effortless locomotion. As an example, each of the smaller toes has 7 different muscles controlling their motion, with some of these muscles originating near the knee.

Here is some surface anatomy to help better describe exactly where your pain is located. On either side of the ankle, there are 2 bony bumps. The bump on the outside of the ankle (Away from the other foot) is called the lateral malleolus and is made up of the distal end of the long, skinny bone in your leg called the fibula (Green arrow). On the inside of the ankle, the bump on that side is called the medial malleolus (Red arrow) and is made up of the end of the larger leg bone called the tibia.

On the foot, there are 5 long bones called metatarsals (Dark blue arrow) that align with the 5 toes. On the outside of the foot at the base of the 5th digit, there is a bump known as the head of the 5th metatarsal (Light blue arrow). On the inside of the foot at the base of the 1st digit, there is a bump known as the head of the 1st metatarsal (Yellow Arrow), which is often associated with a bunion deformity.

On the outside of the foot, midway between the heel bone and the head of the 5th metatarsal, is another bony bump. This correlates with the base of the 5th metatarsal and is otherwise known as the styloid process (Purple arrow). Located approximately 1cm below and 1cm forward to the medial malleolus (see above) is another lump known as the tuberosity of the Navicular.

All of these lumps may be larger and smaller in some people, depending on anatomy, but the presence of these bumps is not abnormal. That being said, they should never hurt! If you are experiencing pain or problems with any of these locations or others, call the experts at Select Foot and Ankle Specialists today and schedule a consultation.