Medial Malleolus Flashcards

Study the medial malleolus, including its bony landmarks, ankle articulations, ligament attachments, tendon relationships, and clinical anatomy.

Card 1 of 30Question

What is the medial malleolus?

A downward-projecting bony prominence at the medial aspect of the distal tibia.

In This Section

1. What is the medial malleolus?

A downward-projecting bony prominence at the medial aspect of the distal tibia.

2. Which bone forms the medial malleolus?

The tibia.

3. Where is the medial malleolus located?

On the medial side of the ankle, forming the palpable prominence of the inner ankle.

4. Which bone articulates with the medial malleolus?

The talus, through its medial malleolar articular facet.

5. Which surface of the medial malleolus is covered by articular cartilage?

The lateral surface, which articulates with the medial surface of the talus.

6. What is the principal role of the medial malleolus in the ankle joint?

It forms the medial wall of the ankle mortise and helps stabilize the talus.

7. How does the medial malleolus compare with the lateral malleolus in distal extent?

The medial malleolus terminates more proximally than the lateral malleolus.

8. What are the two main prominences at the distal tip of the medial malleolus?

The anterior and posterior colliculi.

9. What is the intercollicular groove of the medial malleolus?

A depression between the anterior and posterior colliculi that provides ligament attachment.

10. Which major ligament complex attaches to the medial malleolus?

The deltoid ligament, also called the medial collateral ligament of the ankle.

11. Which bones receive distal attachments from the deltoid ligament?

The talus, calcaneus, and navicular.

12. What is the main stabilizing function of the deltoid ligament?

It primarily resists excessive eversion and valgus displacement of the ankle.

13. Which part of the medial malleolus provides attachment for the superficial deltoid ligament?

Primarily the anterior colliculus.

14. Where does the deep posterior tibiotalar ligament attach proximally?

Primarily to the posterior colliculus and intercollicular region of the medial malleolus.

15. What is the malleolar groove on the posterior tibia?

A groove behind the medial malleolus that accommodates the tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus tendons.

16. Which tendon passes immediately posterior to the medial malleolus?

The tibialis posterior tendon.

17. Which tendon passes posterior to the tibialis posterior tendon behind the medial malleolus?

The flexor digitorum longus tendon.

18. Which artery passes posterior to the medial malleolus?

The posterior tibial artery.

19. Which major nerve passes through the tarsal tunnel posterior to the medial malleolus?

The tibial nerve.

20. What is the order of the main tarsal tunnel structures from anterior to posterior?

Tibialis posterior tendon, flexor digitorum longus tendon, posterior tibial vessels, tibial nerve, and flexor hallucis longus tendon.

21. Which structure forms the roof of the tarsal tunnel?

The flexor retinaculum.

22. Where does the flexor retinaculum attach proximally?

To the medial malleolus.

23. Which superficial nerve passes anterior to the medial malleolus?

The saphenous nerve.

24. Which superficial vein passes anterior to the medial malleolus?

The great saphenous vein.

25. Where is the posterior tibial arterial pulse palpated at the ankle?

Posterior and slightly inferior to the medial malleolus.

26. What is tarsal tunnel syndrome?

Compression of the tibial nerve or its branches within the fibro-osseous tunnel posterior to the medial malleolus.

27. What is a medial malleolar avulsion fracture?

A fracture in which ligamentous traction separates a fragment of the medial malleolus.

28. What is a bimalleolar ankle fracture?

A fracture involving both the medial and lateral malleoli.

29. Why can a displaced medial malleolar fracture compromise ankle stability?

It can disrupt the medial ankle mortise and the attachment of the deltoid ligament.

30. What is the clinical significance of tenderness over the medial malleolus after ankle trauma?

It may indicate a malleolar fracture and is relevant to the Ottawa ankle rules.