The ankle is actually made up of two joints, along with ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The joints are:
- True ankle joint.
- Subtalar joint.
The true ankle joint has three bones:
- The shin bone (tibia).
- The calf bone next to the shin bone (fibula).
- The ankle bone (talus), a small bone between the shin and calf bones and the calcaneus (heel bone).
The subtalar joint has two bones:
- The talus.
- The calcaneus.
Ligaments, tendons, and muscles hold the ankle in place and keep it stable:
- Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones or cartilage. They support and strengthen joints. (Tissue is the material that helps support your body).
- Tendons are tough but flexible cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone.
- Muscles are tissues that help your ankle move and helps support your body.