Dorsiflexion vs. Plantar Flexion | Definition & Examples - Lesson | Study.com (2024)

The word "flexion" can be found in many anatomical movements. Commonly, people understand what is meant to flex at the knee or elbow. Flexion is the decreased angle at a joint between two or more bones. For example, if you bend your elbow from a straightened position, the angle decreases between the humerus and the radius and ulna of the forearm. This term can be applied to specific joints. So, what is plantar flexion? Plantar flexion can be defined as the decreased angle between the plantar side of the foot and the back of the tibia at the tibiotalar joint, commonly called the ankle. The word plantar comes from the Latin origin meaning sole of the foot. In essence, the plantar side of the foot is the underside or sole. A good way to remember this is by thinking of a plantar wart. These warts grow on the underside of the foot and toes. A more common meaning of the term flexion is bending. Plantar flexion is a bending of the sole of the foot down where the toes are moving down and away from the body.

In the image, the bottom of the foot called the plantar side of the foot is seen.

Examples of Plantar Flexion

Plantar flexion is used often because it is a movement associated with the ankle joint. Any time the toes are pointed downward, plantar flexion occurs. Examples include:

• Bending the foot downward during walking to propel the body forward as it pushes off the ground.
• Standing on tip toes to reach something on a high shelf.
• Pushing the foot down on the gas pedal of a car.
• Jumping as the feet point down to propel the body upward from the ground.

When standing on tip toes, the plantar side of the foot and toes is bent backwards toward the posterior side of the leg. This position represents plantar flexion.

Dorsiflexion is a movement associated with the multiple joints. The prefix dorsi has a Latin origin that refers to the word dorsal, meaning the back side of an animal. Consider a dorsal fin on a shark which is located on the back side of the shark. If the foot was a four-legged animal, the dorsal side would be the top of the foot. Likewise, if the hand was held out straight, the back side of the hand is called the dorsal side. So, what is dorsiflexion? Dorsiflexion can be defined as the decreased angle between the dorsal side of the body part and the bone or bones that are proximal to the body. When the wrist is bent and the back of the hand is moving towards the body, dorsiflexion occurs. When the toes are pointed up or raised backward toward the body, this is also called dorsiflexion. A fun way to remember this motion is to think of the toes pointing upward like the dorsal fin points upward on a shark.

The top of the feet are known as the dorsal side. If the top of the foot or toes are pulled backward towards the tibia, this would be called dorsiflexion.

Examples of Dorsiflexion

Dorsiflexion occurs any time the toes are pointed upwards or the wrist is bent backwards. Examples of dorsiflexion include:

• Raising the toes upward when walking as the foot comes up off the ground to take the next step.
• Moving from the gas pedal to the break.
• Pedaling a bicycle during the phase of raising the toes upward.
• Holding a heavy bag that bends the wrist backwards toward the posterior side of the forearm.
• Lifting the hands up and away from the keyboard.
• Bending a finger backwards towards the dorsal side of the hand.

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When the hands are holding something heavy, the wrist will bend backwards moving the dorsal side of the hand closer to the back of the forearm. This is an example of dorsiflexion.