The ankle joint contains several crucial ligaments that provide stability and support. These ligaments are grouped into three main categories based on their location:
1. Lateral Ankle Ligaments
These ligaments are located on the outer side of the ankle and are commonly injured in ankle sprains. They include:
- Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL): This ligament connects the fibula to the talus bone. It's frequently the first ligament to be injured in an inversion ankle sprain.
- Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL): This ligament connects the fibula to the calcaneus (heel bone). It is often injured along with the ATFL in inversion sprains.
- Posterior Talofibular Ligament (PTFL): This ligament connects the fibula to the talus bone posteriorly and is less frequently injured than the ATFL and CFL.
2. Medial (Deltoid) Ligament
This strong, triangular ligament is found on the inner side of the ankle. It provides significant medial support and is less prone to injury than the lateral ligaments. The deltoid ligament is comprised of multiple components that connect the tibia to the talus, navicular, and calcaneus bones.
3. Tibiofibular Syndesmosis Ligaments
These ligaments are located between the tibia and fibula bones, forming the distal tibiofibular joint. They contribute to the overall stability of the ankle and are crucial for maintaining the mortise, the socket formed by the tibia and fibula that receives the talus. These ligaments help prevent excessive movement between the tibia and fibula.
The provided reference states: "The ligaments around the ankle can be divided, depending on their anatomic position, into three groups: the lateral ligaments, the deltoid ligament on the medial side, and the ligaments of the tibiofibular syndesmosis that join the distal epiphyses of the bones of the leg (tibia and fibula)." This accurately reflects the three groups of ligaments described above.
