Lower limb

Articular cartilage of ankle, tarsus, and toes (Talus, Distal tibia, Tarsal bones, Phalanges)

Cartilagines articulares talocrurales, tarsi et digitorum pedis

Origin

Hyaline cartilage covering talar dome, tibial plafond, malleoli, tarsals, sesamoids, metatarsals, and phalanges

Insertion

Opposing articular surfaces of talocrural, subtalar, midtarsal, TMT, MTP, and IP joints

Function

Provides ultra-low friction bearing surfaces absorbing high ground reaction forces across the foot and ankle

Innervation

Avascular and aneural

Movement & chain

Facilitates multi-axial triplanar gait mechanics

Palpation

Not palpated directly

Clinical

Osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT / talar dome OCD following ankle sprains); post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis; subtalar arthritis; hallux rigidus.

Segmental innervation

L4–S2

In clinical practice

Microfracture / autologous chondrocyte implantation for OLT, ankle arthrodesis, total ankle replacement, and rocker shoes

Region in the model

Lower limb