Foot bones

Foot Bones

The human foot is a complex structure made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The bones of the foot can be divided into three groups: the tarsal bones, the metatarsal bones, and the phalanges.

Tarsal Bones

The tarsal bones are a group of seven bones located in the rear part of the foot, known as the hindfoot. These include the talus, which connects the foot to the ankle, and the calcaneus, or heel bone, which is the largest bone in the foot. Other tarsal bones include the navicular bone, the cuboid bone, and the three cuneiform bones.

Metatarsal Bones

The metatarsal bones are a group of five long bones in the foot, located between the tarsal bones and the phalanges. They are numbered from one to five, with the first metatarsal bone connected to the big toe and the fifth metatarsal bone connected to the little toe.

Phalanges

The phalanges are the bones of the toes. Each toe, except for the big toe, has three phalanges: the proximal, middle, and distal phalanges. The big toe only has two phalanges: the proximal and distal.

Function

The bones of the foot provide support and balance for the body during standing, walking, and running. They also absorb shock and distribute weight throughout the foot.

Related Conditions

There are many conditions that can affect the bones of the foot, including fractures, bunions, hammertoe, and arthritis. Treatment for these conditions can range from rest and physical therapy to surgery.

See Also

• Anatomy of the human foot
• List of bones of the human skeleton