Plantaariflexio

Plantaariflexio refers to the movement of the foot at the ankle joint where the top of the foot moves away from the shin. This action is also known as plantar flexion. It is the opposite of dorsiflexion, which involves bringing the top of the foot closer to the shin. Plantaariflexio is primarily accomplished by the muscles in the posterior compartment of the lower leg, namely the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, which together form the triceps surae. These muscles contract and pull on the calcaneus (heel bone) via the Achilles tendon, causing the foot to point downwards.

This movement is essential for many everyday activities, including walking, running, jumping, and standing on tiptoes. When you push off the ground during walking or running, plantar flexion is the key action. It allows for propulsion and stability. Ankle sprains, particularly those involving inversion injuries, can sometimes affect the muscles or nerves responsible for plantar flexion, leading to weakness or difficulty performing the movement. In medical contexts, the range of motion for plantar flexion is often measured in degrees.