Arches of the foot

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The arches of the foot are formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones and strengthened by ligaments and tendons. They allow the foot to support the weight of the body in the erect posture with the least weight. The human foot has three arches: the medial longitudinal, lateral longitudinal, and transverse arch.

Medial Longitudinal Arch

The medial longitudinal arch is the most prominent foot arch and what is typically referred to as simply, "the arch". It runs from front to back along the inside of the foot. This arch absorbs the majority of the shock of impact while walking, jumping or running.

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Lateral Longitudinal Arch

The lateral longitudinal arch runs parallel to the medial longitudinal arch but is not as high. It spans the length of the foot along its outer edge. The lateral longitudinal arch assists with weight distribution from the foot to the ground, particularly when walking or running.

Transverse Arch

The transverse arch runs perpendicular to the medial and lateral longitudinal arches. This arch helps to stabilize the foot and allows for flexibility and adaptability in different types of terrain.

Function

The arches of the foot play a crucial role in how we walk and run. They act as shock absorbers, help us balance, and can even affect our overall body alignment. When these arches aren't functioning properly, it can lead to common foot conditions like plantar fasciitis or flat feet.

See Also

• Foot anatomy
• Foot conditions
• Human skeleton