Ankle movement pointing the foot downward is called?

• A. Plantar Flexion
• B. Medial
• C. Dorsiflexion
• D. Distal

Answer: (A)

Pointing the foot downward is called plantar flexion. This motion occurs at the ankle and is produced by the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) pulling the heel up and the toes toward the ground, like standing on tiptoes. Dorsiflexion, in contrast, lifts the foot upward toward the shin. Medial describes a position toward the body's midline, and distal refers to a point farther from the trunk, neither of which describe the ankle movement. So plantar flexion is the correct term.