JUNCTIONS OF THE LEG BONES.
The bones of the leg tibia & fibula are connected via 3 junction
The superior (proximal) tibiofibular joint:
Type: plane - synovial joint.
Articular Surfaces:
Formed between specific facets on the proximal ends of the tibia & fibula.
- The tibial articular facet is located on the lateral tibial condyle and faces posteriorly, inferiorly, and laterally.
- The oval fibular articular facet is found on the head of the fibula, facing anteriorly, superiorly, and medially.
Capsule:
The fibrous capsule is attached to the margins of the articular surfaces. The internal surface of the capsule is lined by a synovial membrane which is sometimes continuous with that of the knee joint. In this case, the distal prolongation of the knee joint cavity called the popliteal bursa communicates with the tibiofibular joint through an aperture on the upper part of its capsule.
Ligaments:
- The anterior ligament of the fibular head
- The posterior ″ ″ ″
Innervation & Blood Supply:
- The superior tibiofibular joint is innervated by the common fibular nerve and the nerve to popliteus.
- Its blood supply comes from the anterior and posterior tibial recurrent arteries
The inferior (distal) tibiofibular joints:
Type: Fibrous joint (syndesmosis)
Articular Surfaces:
- The inferior tibiofibular joint is formed by the rough, convex surface on the medial side of the distal end of the fibula.
- It articulates with the reciprocally concave fibular notch on the distal end of the tibia.
No Capsule
Ligaments:
- Ant. & Post. ligaments of the fibular head.
- Interosseous ligament.
- Transverse tibiofibular ligament.
Innervation & blood supply:
- The inferior tibiofibular joint receives innervation from the deep fibular nerve and the sural nerve.
- Its blood supply comes from the fibular artery and its lateral malleolar branches.