THE ARCH
of a foot is formed by metatarsal and tarsal bones, which are supported by tendons and ligaments.
A-B
ANTERIOR TRANSVERSE ARCH
A-C
MEDIAL LONGTITUDINAL ARCH
B-C
LATERAL LONGTITUDINAL ARCH
AN ARCHED FOOT is a unique characteristic that distinguishes humans from other primates.
Our Feet’s Three Arches
The foot acts as a platform to support the body weight and as a lever to propel the body forward when walking, running or jumping. If any of the foot arches collapse, the body’s center of mass distribution over the leg is imbalanced, particularly over the center of the foot anterior to the ankle, thereby increasing the stress placed on the feet and ankles. This foot dysfunction ultimately manifests itself in the form of postural abnormalities, affecting the overall balance and stability of the individual.
The chief characteristic of this arch is its elasticity, which plays a critical role in shock absorption and propulsion of the foot while walking. The elastic properties of the arches allow the foot to act as a spring, dissipating impact force and storing energy to be transferred into the subsequent step improving locomotion. Furthermore, the medial longitudinal arch supports our body weight while we are standing.
The lateral longitudinal arch is the lowest arch. The most striking features of this arch are its solidity and its slight elevation. Two strong ligaments, the long plantar, and the plantar calcaneocuboid work together with the extensor tendons and the short muscles of the little toe to preserve its integrity.
