plantar

(adjective)

The sole of the foot.

Related Terms

Examples of plantar in the following topics:

  • Plantar Fasciitis

    • Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory process of the plantar fascia, the connective tissue on the sole (bottom surface) of the foot.
    • Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a painful inflammatory process of the plantar fascia, the connective tissue on the sole (bottom surface) of the foot.
    • It is often caused by overuse of the plantar fascia or arch tendon of the foot .
    • Longstanding cases of plantar fasciitis often demonstrate more degenerative changes than inflammatory changes, in which case they are termed plantar fasciosis.
    • It has been reported that plantar fasciitis occurs in two million Americans a year and in 10% of the U.S. population over a lifetime.

  • Muscles that Cause Movement at the Foot

    • The foot can be split into dorsal and plantar compartments, the latter of which contains significantly more muscles.
    • The muscles of the plantar compartment play a key role in stabilizing the arch of the foot and controlling the digits, providing the necessary strength and fine movements to maintain balance and posture and promote walking.
    • Attachments - Originates from the plantar surfaces of the cuboid and lateral cuneiform bones in the sole of the foot and attaches to the big toe.
    • Attachments:  The adductor hallucis originates from the bases of the first four metatarsals, and also from the plantar ligaments before attaching to the big toe.
    • Plantar Interossei - The three plantar interossei lie beneath rather than between the metatarsal bones.

  • Arteries of the Pelvis and Lower Limbs

    • The abdominal aorta divides into the major arteries of the leg: the femoral, popliteal, tibial, dorsal foot, plantar, and fibular arteries.

  • Arches of the Feet

    • Its two extremities or piers, on which it rests in standing, are the tuberosity on the plantar surface of the calcaneus posteriorly, and the heads of the first, second, and third metatarsal bones anteriorly.
    • Its weakest part (i.e., the part most liable to yield from too much pressure) is the joint between the talus and navicular, but this portion is braced by the plantar calcaneonavicular ligament, also called the spring ligament, which is elastic and is thus able to quickly restore the arch to its original condition when the disturbing force is removed.
    • The arch is further supported by the plantar aponeurosis, by the small muscles in the sole of the foot, by the tendons of the peroneus longus and the tibialis anterior and posterior, and by the ligaments of all the articulations involved.
    • Two strong ligaments—the long plantar and the plantar calcaneocuboid—the extensor tendons, and the short muscles of the little toe preserve its integrity.
    • The transverse arches are strengthened by the interosseous, plantar, and dorsal ligaments; by the short muscles of the first and fifth toes (especially the transverse head of the adductor hallucis), and by the peroneus longus, whose tendon stretches between the piers of the arches.

  • Stability and Range of Motion at Synovial Joints

    • During the last portion of the stride, as the foot undergoes plantar flexion (pointing the toes downward), the stored elastic energy is released.
    • Certain joints exhibit special movements including elevation, depression, protraction, retraction, inversion, eversion, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, supination, pronation, and opposition.

  • Flatfoot and Clawfoot

    • That is, there is a fixed plantar flexion of the foot.
    • The range of complaints reported from people with pes cavus include metatarsalgia, pain under the first metatarsal, plantar fasciitis, painful callosities, ankle arthritis, and Achilles tendonitis.
    • Suggested conservative management of patients with painful pes cavus typically involve strategies to reduce and redistribute plantar pressure loading with the use of foot orthotics and specialized cushioned footwear.
    • Explain how plantar fasciitis can occur in individuals with clawfoot and how flatfoot can be prevented

  • Anastomoses

    • Arterio-arterial anastomoses include actual ones (e.g. palmar arch, plantar arch) and potential ones, which may only function if the  normal vessel is damaged or blocked (e.g. coronary arteries and cortical branch of cerebral arteries).

  • Dermatomes

  • Shin Splint Syndrome

    • Muscle imbalance, including weakened core muscles lead to more lower-extremity injuries; also the inflexibility and tightness of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantar muscles (commonly the flexor digitorum longus) can contribute to shin splints.

  • Assessing CNS Disorders

    • Reflexes tested include masseter, biceps and triceps tendon, knee tendon, ankle jerk and plantar (i.e.