The plantar calcaneonavicular ligament (also known as the spring ligament or spring ligament complex) is a complex of three ligaments on the underside of the foot that connect the
calcaneus with the
navicular
The navicular bone is a small bone found in the feet of most mammals.
Human anatomy
The navicular bone in humans is one of the tarsal bones, found in the foot. Its name derives from the human bone's resemblance to a small boat, caused by th ...
bone.
Structure
The plantar calcaneonavicular ligamentous complex is a broad and thick band with three constituent ligaments. These connect the anterior margin of the
sustentaculum tali of the
calcaneus to the plantar surface of the
navicular bone
The navicular bone is a small bone found in the feet of most mammals.
Human anatomy
The navicular bone in humans is one of the tarsal bones, found in the foot. Its name derives from the human bone's resemblance to a small boat, caused by th ...
.
Its individual components are the:
* superomedial calcaneonavicular ligament.
* medioplantar oblique ligament.
* inferior calcaneonavicular ligament.
These ligament components attach to different parts of the navicular bone.
The dorsal or superomedial component of the ligament presents a fibrocartilaginous facet, lined by the synovial membrane, upon which a portion of the head of the talus rests. Its plantar surface, consisting of the intermedial and lateral ligaments, is supported by the tendon of the
tibialis posterior
The tibialis posterior muscle is the most central of all the leg muscles, and is located in the deep posterior compartment of the leg. It is the key stabilizing muscle of the lower leg.
Structure
The tibialis posterior muscle originates on the ...
; its medial border is blended with the forepart of the
deltoid ligament
The deltoid ligament (or medial ligament of talocrural joint) is a strong, flat, triangular band, attached, above, to the apex and anterior and posterior borders of the medial malleolus.
The deltoid ligament is composed of 4 fibers:
1. Anterior t ...
of the
ankle-joint.
Function
This ligamentous complex not only serves to connect the
calcaneus and
navicular bone
The navicular bone is a small bone found in the feet of most mammals.
Human anatomy
The navicular bone in humans is one of the tarsal bones, found in the foot. Its name derives from the human bone's resemblance to a small boat, caused by th ...
, but supports the head of the
talus, forming part of the articular cavity in which it is received. It helps to maintain the
medial longitudinal arch
Medial may refer to:
Mathematics
* Medial magma, a mathematical identity in algebra Geometry
* Medial axis, in geometry the set of all points having more than one closest point on an object's boundary
* Medial graph, another graph that repre ...
of the
foot
The foot ( : feet) is an anatomical structure found in many vertebrates. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg made ...
.
By providing support to the head of the talus, it bears most of the body weight in a normally functioning foot.
Clinical significance
A
sprain to the plantar calcaneonavicular ligament can result in
flatfoot deformity, which can impair
mobility
Mobility may refer to:
Social sciences and humanities
* Economic mobility, ability of individuals or families to improve their economic status
* Geographic mobility, the measure of how populations and goods move over time
* Mobilities, a conte ...
.
See also
*
Long plantar ligament
The long plantar ligament (long calcaneocuboid ligament; superficial long plantar ligament) is a long ligament on the underside of the foot that connects the calcaneus with the 2nd to 5th metatarsal.
Structure
The long plantar ligament is the l ...
*
Short plantar ligament
References
External links
* ()
* https://web.archive.org/web/20060507052103/http://www.ithaca.edu/faculty/lahr/LE2000/ankle%20pics/5medankle-new.jpg
{{Authority control
Ligaments of the lower limb