Tibiofibular joints
Tibiofibular joints
The three articulations are between tibia and fibula
1.The superior (proximal) tibiofibular joint – between the superior ends of tibia and fibula
2.The inferior (distal) tibiofibular joint – between their inferior ends
3.The interosseous membrane of leg (middle tibiofibular joint) – connects their shafts
Proximal Tibiofibular Joint
•Between lateral tibial condyle and head of fibula both covered with hyaline cartilage
•Plane synovial joint
•Capsule attached to articular margins lined with synovial membrane inside
•Ligaments: Anterior ligament of fibular head, posterior ligament of fibular head
•Innervation: Common fibular nerve, nerve to popliteus
•Blood supply: Anterior and posterior tibial recurrent arteries
•Movements: Slight gliding following the ankle joint movements (dorsiflexion)
Distal Tibiofibular Joint.
•Between fibular notch of tibia and distal end of fibula
•Fibrous joint – Syndesmosis
•No capsule or synovial membrane surrounding it
•Ligaments: Anterior, interosseous, posterior, and inferior transverse tibiofibular ligaments
•Innervation: Deep fibular and sural nerves
•Blood supply: Fibular artery, lateral malleolar branches
•Movements: Slight gliding following the ankle joint movements
Interosseous Membrane
•Supports distal tibiofibular joint
•Strengthens the joints and connects the shafts of the two bones
•Runs inferiorly from tibia to fibula which opposes downward pulls
• Separates the muscles in the back of the leg from the muscles in the front
•Upper part allows the anterior tibial vessels to pass through to the front of the leg
•Lower part has an opening (smaller hiatus) so that the anterior peroneal vessels can pass through
