Which structure is commonly palpated during an ankle and foot examination?

• A. Navicular bone
• B. Patella
• C. Tibial plateau
• D. Greater trochanter

Answer: (A)

In an ankle and foot exam, identifying palpable bony landmarks helps locate injuries and assess alignment and arch function. The navicular bone is the key midfoot bone you can feel on the medial side of the foot. It lies between the talus above and the cuneiforms ahead, and its tuberosity presents as a distinct bump along the medial longitudinal arch. You palpate it to check for tenderness that might indicate navicular or midfoot injuries, and to help gauge arch height and talonavicular joint status. The other structures—patella, tibial plateau, and greater trochanter—are not part of the ankle/foot region (knee or hip), so they’re not routinely palpated during this examination.