The bones of the foot help support the body’s weight when you stand, walk, or move. They also protect soft tissues and help absorb shocks. Main Groups of Foot Bones:

• Metatarsals – Five long bones that connect the toes to the tarsals.

• Phalanges – These are the bones in the toes. Each toe has three phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal), except the big toe, which has only two.

• Tarsals – These are seven small, irregular-shaped bones in the ankle area.

Foot Regions:

• Hindfoot: Includes the talus and calcaneus (heel bone).

• Midfoot: Includes the navicular, cuboid, and cuneiform bones.

• Forefoot: Made up of the metatarsals and phalanges.

Phalanges 

The phalanges are the small bones that make up the toes.

Toes 2 to 5 each have three phalanges:

• • Proximal (closest to the foot)

  • Middle

  • Distal (farthest from the foot)

The big toe only has two phalanges: proximal and distal.

The phalanges help with balance, walking, and pushing off the ground. Unlike fingers, toes aren’t used for fine movements, but they are important for steady walking and standing. The toe bones are very similar in structure to finger bones.

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