What movement does the term "plantarflexion" describe?

Plantarflexion specifically refers to the movement of pointing the toes away from the body, which typically occurs at the ankle joint. This action primarily involves the movement of the foot downward, extending the toes and facilitating activities such as standing on tiptoes or pushing off during walking or running.

Understanding the anatomical positioning and function is essential. The term itself is derived from the words "plantar," which relates to the sole of the foot, and "flexion," indicating the act of bending or reducing the angle at a joint. Therefore, when the toes point away from the body, the angle at the ankle increases, demonstrating plantarflexion effectively.