American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Practice Exam

What anatomical feature is shortened in congenital clubfoot?

1. Achilles' tendon

2. Tibialis anterior

3. Soleus muscle

4. Quadriceps

The correct answer is: Achilles' tendon

In congenital clubfoot, the key anatomical feature that is typically shortened is the Achilles' tendon. This condition causes the foot to be positioned inward and downward, with the heel raised and the toes pointing toward the midline of the body. The shortening of the Achilles' tendon leads to an inability to fully dorsiflex the foot, resulting in the characteristic positioning associated with clubfoot. Understanding this condition reveals the importance of the Achilles' tendon in normal walking and standing posture. When it is shortened, it can affect the biomechanics of the foot and ankle, leading to difficulties in movement and stability. Treatment often involves stretching the Achilles' tendon and other interventions to correct the foot's position, highlighting the central role of this tendon in both the deformity and its correction. Other anatomical structures, while involved in the foot's positioning and function, do not primarily have the same direct impact associated with congenital clubfoot as the Achilles' tendon does.