In order to comprehend the scope of a transtibial amputation and provide a person with an amputation with a truly biomimetic powered prosthesis, a global perspective of the ankle–foot complex must be elucidated. Even the most obvious need for structural support while standing spans the domain of highly specialized expertise. With a preliminary perspective on the skeletal complexity presented, the musculature of the ankle–foot complex constitutes a knowledge base of considerable magnitude. A brief assessment of the evolving subject of the modeling of muscle activity is summarized. A concise presentation of the intricacy of the neurological structures that the ankle–foot complex provides is examined. Topics such as the central pattern generator with afferent and efferent pathways emanating from the ankle–foot complex are discussed. Fundamental sensory mechanisms providing proprioception, which represent the spatial perception of the human body, such as muscle spindle afferents and Golgi tendon organs, are entailed regarding the intrinsic contribution of the ankle–foot complex. With the contribution of these diverse aspects of the ankle–foot complex, synchronous and rhythmic features of gait are enabled. The characteristics of gait can be delineated between stance and swing. The stance phase consists of highly relevant subphases, such as controlled plantar flexion, controlled dorsiflexion, and powered plantar flexion. Understanding the substantial role of the ankle–foot complex within the context of gait is imperative for an engineering/scientific research and development team to develop a powered prosthesis with optimal utility for the user.