Figure 1. Ventral view, sagittal plane. c: cartilage, j: fluid in joint cavity
Longitudinal ultrasound section of the anterior part of the ankle joint showing the tibiotalar articulation area. Superficially, the course of m. extensor hallucis longus is visible, transitioning distally into a tendon that runs over the anterior fat pad. Below it, the joint cavity with the anterior recess (j) and cartilage (c) covering the articular surface of the talus are shown, appearing as a thin hypoechoic layer adjacent to the curved hyperechoic cortical line. This projection is essential for evaluating the anterior recess of the ankle joint, presence of effusion, synovial hypertrophy, and integrity of articular cartilage in the tibiotalar articulation area.
Figure 2. Ventral view, transverse plane. EDL: m. extensor digitorum longus, EHL: m. extensor hallucis longus, TA: m. tibialis anterior
Transverse ultrasound section of the anterior part of the ankle showing the talar dome as the main bony landmark. Superficially above the talus, the tendons of m. extensor digitorum longus (EDL), m. extensor hallucis longus (EHL) and m. tibialis anterior (TA) are visible, running parallel to each other under the retinaculum in the anterior part of the ankle. This projection is essential for evaluating the extensor tendons in the ankle region and for detecting tendinopathy, tenosynovitis, or other pathological changes in their sheaths.
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