Foot Anatomy - Bones, Tendons And Other Parts Of The Foot

Anatomy Of The Foot

The foot is the region of the lower limb that begins from the ankle joint. The foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These important structures strengthen thefoot and help to maintain its posture.Some of the important structures of the foot are discussed below

Bones In the foot, we have three groups of bones1. Tarsals2. Metatarsals3. Phalanges

Tarsal bones

These are divided into three groups

Proximal group

The proximal group has two bones namely the talus (ankle bone) and calcaneus (heel bone). The talus articulates superiorly with tibia and fibula making the back of the foot known as hindfoot

Intermediate group

Navicular bone- It lies between the proximal and distal group of tarsal bones

Distal group

In the distal group from lateral to medial, we have one cuboid bone and three cuneiforms (lateral, intermediate, and medial)

Metatarsal bones

We have five metatarsal bones, they are numbered from one through five from medial to lateral.The head of the first metatarsal bone articulates with two sesamoid bonesThe sides of the bases of metatarsal bones (from two to five) articulate with each otherThe fifth metatarsal bone has a prominent tuberosity on its lateral side

Phalanges

These are the bones of toes. We have 14 phalanges in total, two in the great toe and 3 in each other toe

Joints

There are 33 joints in the footAnkle joint It is a synovial hinge joint. It involves talus of tarsal bones and tibia fibula (bones of the leg region)Articular surfaces are covered with hyaline cartilagePlantarflexion and dorsiflexion are possible at this jointIntertarsal jointThere are several intertarsal joints. These joints are synovial in natureThe following movements are possible here• Inversion• Eversion• Supination• PronationTransverse tarsal jointThis joint is formed between talocalcaneonavicular and calcaneocuboid joint