Functional anatomy is fundamental for understanding motion in the ankl
e joint. Biomechanical studies try to evaluate the forces and torque a
ffecting biological tissue under various conditions and therefore the
cause and effects of disorders of joint structures. Conclusions based
on this research permit preventive arrangements to reduce force and ri
sk of injury to the joints. Biomechanical models describe the function
of joint movements. A knowledge of biomechanical models may affect th
erapy management of patients with joint disorders. For the radiologist
the results of this basic research are of major importance. Knowledge
of pathological joint movements allows more accurate diagnosis of com
plex disorders or injuries of the ankle joint and structural alteratio
ns in bony or soft tissue structures, as demonstrated by MRI. In this
article, we summarize the results of functional anatomy and biomechani
cs of the ankle joint reported in the literature.