Each foot is made up of twenty-six bones which form the ankle, top and bottom of the foot, and toes. These bones are articularly specialized, allowing a wide range of flexibility, while being able to withstand the incredible amounts of stress placed upon them. It is estimated that each stride of an adult places 900 pounds per square inch on the bottom of the foot. Seven of these bones form the compact arrangement of the ankle, or tarsus, and the heel. These tarsal bones include the navicular, the three cuneiform, the cuboid, the talus, and the calcaneus bones.
These tarsal bones are arranged generally in two rows, the proximal and distal. The distal tarsals articulate with the five metatarsals. The long metatarsals form the broad, long structure of the foot, as seen in the superior view. These, in turn, articulate with the proximal phalanges. The proximal phalanges join with the middle phalanges, which articulate with the end sections of the toes, called distalphalanges. The large toe is the exception, as it lacks a middle phalanx. Ligaments connect the bones of the foot together and allow the muscles of the calf to remotely influence these bones. Research Bones of the Foot
Talipes is the surgical name for the deformity commonly called clubfoot. Several varieties are distinguished: Talipes varus, in which the foot is drawn up and bent inward; Talipes valgus, in which the foot is bent outward; Talipes equinus, in which the sole faces backward and the patient walks upon the balls of the toes and Talipes calcaneus (also called talus), in which the sole faces forward and the patient walks upon the heel. Research Talipes
In human anatomy, the talus is the principle connecting link between the foot and the bones of the leg and has an important part in the formation of the ankle. Research Talus
The tarsal bones are seven bones forming the compact arrangement of the ankle, or tarsus, and the heel. These tarsal bones include the navicular, the three cuneiform, the cuboid, the talus, and the calcaneus bones. These tarsal bones are arranged generally in two rows, the proximal and distal. The distal tarsals articulate with the five metatarsals. Research Tarsal Bones
The tibia (shin-bone) is the robust, primary bone of the two in the lower leg. The tibia bears most of the weight. Its head (upper, or proximal, end) articulates with the parallel fibula and the femur at the knee joint. At its distal, or lower, end it articulates with the fibula and the talus of the ankle. Protruding portions of the lower end of the tibia, called the medial malleolus (inside) and lateral malleolus (outside) form the large bumps which characterize the ankle joint. Research Tibia
Abbreviations
Research Bones of the Foot
