Tarsals Metatarsals and Phalanges Structure and Functions
The human body is made up of so many things like bone, cartilages, bone marrow, muscles, blood, etc. Among all these things, bone is considered most important for making our body. In a newly born baby, there are approx 300 bones which because of fusion are converted into 206 bones in adult humans. There are so many functions which are performed by bones like they provide shape to the body, they also protect internal organs like brain, heart, lungs, etc. they also store various important minerals like calcium and phosphate as they help in making bone strong from both inside and outside. It is bone only where red blood cell formation takes place. And apart from this one of the most important functions of bone is by providing movement.
Bones of Foot
The bones which are present in foot provide mechanical support for all the soft tissues which are present in foot and also help the foot withstand the weight of the body whilst standing and in motion. There are mainly three types of bones present in the foot, they are:
Tarsals – It is a combination of seven irregularly shaped bones. They are located proximally in the foot in the ankle area of the foot.
Metatarsals – They act as a connection between the phalanges to the tarsals. They are mainly five in number i.e. one for each digit.
Phalanges – The bone is commonly known as bones of the toes. Each toe of a human being has three phalanges – proximal, intermediate, and distal.
Division of Foot
The foot is mainly divided into three regions, they are:
1. Hindfoot: talus and calcaneus
2. Midfoot: navicular, cuboid and cuneiforms
3. Forefoot: metatarsals and phalanges
Anatomy of Foot
A. Tarsals: This bone of foot is organised in three rows, they are proximal, intermediate and distal.
Proximal is commonly known as hindfoot. The proximal tarsal is made up of talus and calcaneus. And they are made up of the hindfoot, forming the bony framework around the proximal ankle and heel.
Talus: Talus is considered as the most superior of the tarsal bones. Its main function is the distribution of whole body weight to the foot. Talus mainly has three articulation they are:
Superiorly – ankle joint i.e. between the talus and the bones of the leg (the tibia and fibula).
Inferiorly – subtalar joint i.e. between the talus and calcaneus.
Anteriorly – talonavicular joint i.e. present between the talus and the navicular.
Main Function of Talus:
1. One of the main functions of the talus is to transmit forces from the tibia to the heel bone (known as the calcaneus).
2. There are various ligaments which are attached to the talus.
Calcaneus: it is considered as the largest tarsal bone and lies just beneath the talus where it makes the heel portion. Calcaneus mainly has two articulations, they are: superiorly (between calcaneus and talus) and anteriorly ( between the calcaneus and the cuboid).
B. Metatarsals
They are located in the forefoot i.e. area between the tarsals and phalanges. They are numbered I-V (medial to lateral). The structures of each metatarsal are similar in nature.
They are of convex shape from the dorsal side and have head, neck, shaft, and base from distal to the proximal end.
Metatarsals mainly have three or four articulations:
Proximally (tarsometatarsal joints) i.e. they are present between the metatarsal bases and the tarsal bones.
Laterally (intermetatarsal joint) i.e. they are present between the metatarsal and the adjacent metatarsals.
Distally (metatarsophalangeal joint) i.e. they are present between the metatarsal head and the proximal phalanx.
C. Phalanges
They are mainly the bones of the toes. They are similar in structure to the metatarsals as each phalanx consists of a base, shaft, and head.
FAQs on Bones of the Foot Anatomy and Classification
1. How many bones are in the human foot?
The human foot contains 26 bones in each foot. These bones are organized into three main groups:
- 7 tarsal bones (including the talus and calcaneus)
- 5 metatarsal bones
- 14 phalanges (toe bones)
2. What are the tarsal bones of the foot?
The tarsal bones are the seven bones that form the posterior part of the foot and the ankle region. They include:
- Talus
- Calcaneus
- Navicular
- Cuboid
- Medial cuneiform
- Intermediate cuneiform
- Lateral cuneiform
3. What is the function of the bones of the foot?
The bones of the foot function to support body weight, enable movement, and maintain balance. Their main roles include:
- Forming the arches of the foot for shock absorption
- Allowing movements such as walking, running, and jumping
- Providing attachment sites for muscles and ligaments
4. What are the metatarsal bones?
The metatarsal bones are five long bones located between the tarsal bones and the phalanges. They are numbered I to V from the medial (big toe) side to the lateral side. Each metatarsal consists of a base, shaft, and head, and they play a key role in weight distribution and propulsion during walking.
5. What are the phalanges of the foot?
The phalanges are the 14 bones that form the toes of the foot. They are arranged as:
- 2 phalanges in the big toe (proximal and distal)
- 3 phalanges in each of the other four toes (proximal, middle, distal)
6. What is the largest bone in the foot?
The calcaneus, or heel bone, is the largest bone in the foot. It forms the heel and supports much of the body’s weight during standing and walking. The calcaneus also serves as an attachment site for the Achilles tendon, which is important for plantar flexion of the foot.
7. What is the role of the talus bone?
The talus is the ankle bone that connects the foot to the leg and transmits body weight from the tibia to the foot. It articulates with:
- The tibia and fibula above (forming the ankle joint)
- The calcaneus below
- The navicular in front
8. How are the bones of the foot divided?
The bones of the foot are divided into three main anatomical regions: tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges. Specifically:
- Tarsals – 7 bones forming the ankle and proximal foot
- Metatarsals – 5 long bones forming the midfoot
- Phalanges – 14 bones forming the toes
9. What are the arches of the foot and how are they formed?
The arches of the foot are curved structures formed by the arrangement of foot bones that help in weight distribution and shock absorption. The three main arches are:
- Medial longitudinal arch
- Lateral longitudinal arch
- Transverse arch
10. What is the difference between tarsals and metatarsals?
The main difference between tarsals and metatarsals is their location and structure in the foot.
- Tarsals are 7 irregular bones located in the ankle and proximal foot region, mainly involved in weight-bearing and joint movement.
- Metatarsals are 5 long bones in the midfoot that connect the tarsals to the phalanges and assist in propulsion during walking.
