Bones of the Foot

1. Introduction
2. Tarsals
3. Metatarsals
4. Phalanges
5. Quiz

• In the standard anatomical arrangement, the foot has 26 bones which can be divided into three groups: tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges.
• There are seven tarsal bones: Talus (ankle bone), Calcaneus (heel bone), Navicular, Cuboid and three Cuneiforms. Each is described in the Tarsals section below.
• There are five metatarsals, one for each digit (toe). The lesser toes (all the toes except the big toe) usually have three phalanges (toe bones), but a fifth toe with two is a normal anatomical variant (a harmless difference between people). The hallux (big toe) has two phalanges.

Introduction

In the standard anatomical arrangement, there are 26 bones in the foot, which can be divided into three separate groups:

• Tarsals - located proximally within the foot.
• Metatarsals - which connect the phalanges with the tarsal bones.
• Phalanges - the bones within each digit (toe).

The bones of the foot share the common function of weight-bearing and are vital in mechanical support whilst standing and moving.

Tarsals

There are seven tarsal bones:

Talus - the most superior of the tarsal bones. It articulates (forms a joint) with the tibia and fibula to form the ankle joint. It also articulates with the calcaneus, which helps to transmit forces through the foot and keep it stable when standing and moving.

Calcaneus - it is found inferior to the talus and forms the ‘heel’ of the foot. It is essential in taking the weight of the body during the ‘heel-strike’ (the moment the heel hits the ground) in gait (the way a person walks). Other than mechanical support, it is the site of attachment for the Achilles tendon, and therefore is an important bone in providing leverage for plantarflexion (pointing the foot downwards). The Achilles tendon, also known as the calcaneal tendon, attaches to the calcaneus via the calcaneal tuberosity (a bony bump at the back of the heel).

Navicular - this bone is found immediately distal to the talus, and on the medial side of the foot. On the inferior surface, there is a tuberosity (a bony bump) where the tendon of tibialis posterior (a muscle of the deep calf) attaches. This tendon helps to hold up the medial longitudinal arch (the arch along the inner edge of the foot).

Cuboid - one of the most distal tarsal bones and is found laterally. It lies just anterior to the calcaneus. It articulates with the fourth and fifth metatarsals.

Cuneiforms - there are three cuneiforms named by their relationship to each other (lateral, middle and medial). To provide structural support, they are shaped to form an arch within the foot. They also articulate with the first, second and third metatarsals, which helps to keep the middle of the foot stable.

Diagram - A dorsal view (from above) of the tarsal bones

Creative commons source by Henry Gray Anatomy of the Human Body (1918), edited by Dr. Sachin Sudhakaran [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

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