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Bones of the Foot: Tarsals, Metatarsals & Phalanges
Bones of the Foot: Tarsals, Metatarsals & Phalanges
Includes labeled diagrams, downloadable notes, anatomy quizzes, and interactive learning tools
The foot is made up of three main groups of bones: the tarsals, the metatarsals, and the phalanges. The posterior portion of the foot is formed by seven bones called the tarsal bones. The mid-foot contains five elongated bones known as the metatarsal bones. The toes contain a total of fourteen small bones called the phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal).
Tarsal Bones
The tarsal bones form the posterior half of the foot. They are classified as short bones (together with carpals, which form the wrist) and provide stability and support as well as some limited motion.
The tarsals include seven bones: the talus, calcaneus, cuboid, navicular, and three cuneiform bones (medial, intermediate, and lateral).
The talus is the most superior tarsal bone and has a square-shaped upper surface.
It articulates with the tibia and fibula to form the ankle joint. This joint is formed by three articulations: the talus connects with the medial malleolus of the tibia on its inner side, with the distal end of the tibia on its top surface, and with the lateral malleolus of the fibula on its outer side.
Inferiorly, the talus articulates with the calcaneus, which is the largest bone of the foot and forms the heel. Body weight is transferred from the tibia to the talus and then to the calcaneus, which rests on the ground. The calcaneus also has a bony projection called the sustentaculum tali, which supports the medial side of the talus.
The calcaneus is located at the back and lower part of the foot and plays a major role in transmitting body weight to the ground.
It has several surfaces that allow for articulation with other bones and attachment of ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Its superior surface articulates with the talus, while its anterior surface articulates with the cuboid.
The inferior surface forms the heel and provides attachment points for muscles and ligaments.
The posterior surface gives attachment to the Achilles tendon, and the medial surface includes the sustentaculum tali, which supports the talus and provides passage for tendons.
The cuboid bone is located on the lateral side of the foot, in front of the calcaneus and behind the fourth and fifth metatarsals.
It has a groove on its inferior surface that allows a tendon to pass through.
The cuboid articulates with the calcaneus, the lateral cuneiform, and the fourth and fifth metatarsals, and sometimes also with the navicular.
The navicular bone is located on the medial side of the foot between the talus and the cuneiform bones.
Its posterior surface articulates with the head of the talus, while its anterior surface connects with the three cuneiform bones.
It also has a tuberosity that serves as an attachment point for a tendon.
The three cuneiform bones, known as the medial, intermediate, and lateral cuneiforms, are wedge-shaped bones located in front of the navicular.
They articulate with the metatarsal bones and help create the transverse curvature of the foot due to their broad superior surfaces and narrow inferior surfaces.
Metatarsal Bones
The metatarsal bones form the anterior half of the foot and consist of five elongated bones numbered from one to five, starting from the medial side. Each metatarsal has a base, a body, and a head.
The base is the proximal end and articulates with the tarsal bones, while the head is the distal end and articulates with the proximal phalanx of a toe to form a metatarsophalangeal joint.
The first metatarsal is shorter and thicker than the others, while the second metatarsal is the longest.
The base of the fifth metatarsal has a large lateral expansion that forms a noticeable bony bump on the side of the foot and provides attachment for muscles.
The heads of the metatarsals rest on the ground and form the ball of the foot.
Phalanges
The phalanges are the bones of the toes and total fourteen in number. The toes are numbered from one to five, beginning with the big toe, also called the hallux.
The big toe has only two phalanges, known as the proximal and distal phalanges. The remaining toes each have three phalanges: proximal, middle, and distal.
The joints between these bones are called interphalangeal joints.
The phalanges of the foot are smaller and shorter than those of the hand and are adapted more for support and balance than for fine movement.
Need a recap? Take a look at the bones of the foot anatomy notes here.
Need a recap? Take a look at the bones of the foot anatomy notes here.
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References
References
Gray, H. (1918). Anatomy of the human body (W. H. Lewis, Ed.; 20th ed.). Lea & Febiger.
J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix. (2013, April 25). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/8-4-bones-of-the-lower-limb.
Based on OpenStax, Anatomy and Physiology (2013), licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction.
Content paraphrased; adaptations were made.
Sobotta, J. (1914). Atlas and text-book of human anatomy (J. P. McMurrich, Ed.; W. H. Thomas, Trans.). W.B. Saunders Company.
Image Credis
Image Credis
Images used in this guide and games are from the following source:
Sobotta, J. (1914). Atlas and text-book of human anatomy (J. P. McMurrich, Ed.; W. H. Thomas, Trans.). W.B. Saunders Company.
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