Anatom3DTarsal tunnel
Canalis malleolaris · Tarzální tunel
Fascia & connective tissue
Looks like
A channel behind and below the inner ankle bone, roofed by a band of tissue (the flexor retinaculum) running to the heel.
What it does
Lets the tibial nerve, the posterior tibial artery and veins, and three tendons that bend the toes and hold the arch pass into the sole.
Keeping it well
Squeezing of the nerve here (tarsal tunnel syndrome) — from a cyst, varicose veins, flat foot or injury — causes burning, tingling and numbness in the sole, worse on standing and at night.