The ankle ligaments

Ankle ligaments

The bands on either side of the ankle that stop it rolling over.

What it does

On the outside of the ankle, three ligaments link the fibula to the talus and heel bone. On the inside, a strong fan-shaped deltoid ligament links the tibia to the foot bones. Together they keep the ankle hinge stable while letting the foot point up and down.

Surprising fact

The anterior talofibular ligament on the outer ankle is the most commonly sprained ligament in the body.

Why it matters

Most ankle sprains heal with early gentle movement and balance exercises, which also help prevent the ankle from giving way again.

Nearby

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Sources

Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.

Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.

3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.