Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion are special movements that the foot can perform at the ankle joint. These special body movements are important to know in the anatomical terms of motion, as they can help nurses and other health professionals assess patients.
Before taking this dorsiflexion and plantarflexion quiz, you might want to review our anatomy notes, or watch our dorsiflexion vs plantarflexion video.
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Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion Quiz
1. On which side is the dorsal side (dorsum) of the foot?
a. The side with toenails (back or upper side)
b. The side of your sole (bottom side of foot)
c. None of the above
The answer is a, the side with the toenails is the dorsum of the foot. Dorsum (dorsal) refers to the back or upper side of a surface.
2. On which side is the plantar side of the foot?
a. The side with toenails (back or upper side)
b. The side of your sole (bottom side of foot)
c. None of the above
The answer is b, the sole of the foot. Plantar refers to the sole (bottom) of the foot.
3. What happens during dorsiflexion?
a. The bottom of the foot moves toward the calf, decreasing the angle between those two surfaces, which leaves the toes pointing away from the body
b. The top of the foot moves toward the shin, decreasing the angle between those two surfaces, leaving the toes pointing toward the head
c. The foot twists to the left
d. The foot twists to the right
The answer is b, the upper surface of the foot moves toward the shin, decreasing the angle, leaving the toes pointing toward the head. Think about walking on your heels or pointing your foot toward your knee.
4. What happens during plantarflexion?
a. The bottom of the foot moves toward the calf, decreasing the angle between those two surfaces, which leaves the toes pointing away from the body
b. The top of the foot moves toward the shin, decreasing the angle between those two surfaces, leaving the toes pointing toward the head
c. The foot twists to the left
d. The foot twists to the right
The answer is a, the sole of the foot moves toward the calf, decreasing the angle between those two surfaces, which leaves the toes pointing away from the body. Think calf raises or tip toe walking.
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