Joints and movements of the foot: terminology and concepts

In this paper a critical comment is given on the generally accepted terminology for the structural and functional description of the tarsal joints and their motions. Attention is given to the terms established in the officially canonized Nomina Anatomica (NA) of the IANC as well as to the widely used terms in clinical literature. This terminology has been reviewed in the light of underlying kinematic concepts developed by investigators of tarsal joint motions as found in the original papers and in a number of widely used handbooks. Conflicting points of these concepts are briefly discussed while referring to the results of recent biomechanical research.