The ankle joint is a hinge-type synovial joint that connects the bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula) with the talus of the foot.
Some of the movements that occur at the ankle joint are plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. The primary distinction between these two movements is the direction in which the flexion happens.
Dorsiflexion - upward flexion of the foot; it can be described as the movement in which the toes are brought closer to the lower leg bones and the foot flexes towards the anterior leg; dorsiflexion decreases the angle between the lower leg and the dorsal surface of the foot.
Plantarflexion - it can be described as the inferior displacement of the toes and superior displacement of the heel; the toes are pointing downward; this movement decreases the angle between the sole and the back of the leg.
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