What actions are performed at the subtalar joint?

The subtalar joint, located below the talus and above the calcaneus in the foot, primarily allows for movements known as eversion and inversion. This joint plays a crucial role in allowing the foot to adapt to different surfaces and maintain balance, making these movements essential for agility and stability during activities such as walking, running, and jumping.

Eversion involves the outward rolling of the foot, leading to the sole facing away from the midline of the body, while inversion is the inward rolling, resulting in the sole facing toward the midline. These actions enable the foot to adjust to various terrains and are fundamental in preventing injuries during athletic activities by allowing for proper alignment and weight distribution.

Other options such as flexion and extension, dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, or elevation and depression relate to movements at different joints or in different contexts, demonstrating distinct motions that do not occur at the subtalar joint. For example, flexion and extension are primary movements at hinge joints like the knee, while dorsiflexion and plantarflexion occur primarily at the ankle joint. Elevation and depression refer to movements of the shoulder girdle and do not apply to the subtalar joint. Therefore, eversion and inversion are the defining actions performed