Bones of the foot

04 May 2024
Bones of the foot


The metatarsal bones

The metatarsal bones are five long, cylindrical bones in the foot. The bones make up the central skeleton of the foot and are held in an arch formation by surrounding ligaments. The metatarsal bones are joined to the toe bones at the metatarsophalangeal joint, or the knuckles on the toes.

The calcaneus

The calcaneus, or heel bone, is the largest of the ankle bones, or tarsus. It is located below the talus where it projects backward to form the base of the heel. It helps to support the weight of the body and provides an attachment for muscles that move the foot.

The cuboid bone

The cuboid bone is one of the seven bones that make up the tarsus, or ankle bones.

The deltoid ligament

The deltoid ligament is a ligamentous structure that is triangular in shape and attaches the medial malleolus of the tibia to the navicular, calcaneus, and talus (anteriorly and posteriorly) bones of the tarsus.

The distal phalanges of the foot

The distal phalanges of the foot are the small toe bones at the end of each digit.

The dorsal tarsometatarsal ligaments

The dorsal tarsometatarsal ligaments are ligaments of the foot. They joins the tarsus to the metatarsal bone.

The intermediate cuneiform bone

The intermediate cuneiform bone is one of the seven tarsus bones, or ankle bones.

The long plantar ligament

The long plantar ligament is in the sole of the foot. The plantar calcaneonavicular ligament joins the navicular bone in the ankle to the calcaneus, or heel bone; the plantar cuboideonavicular ligament joins the navicular bone to the cuboid bone of the ankle. The plantar metatarsal ligaments bind the instep across the sole of the foot.

The medial cuneiform bone

The medial cuneiform bone is one of the seven tarsal, or ankle, bones.

The navicular bone

The navicular bone is one of the seven tarsal, or ankle, bones. This bone, along with the other tarsal bones, forms a group called the tarsus.

The plantar calcaneonavicular ligament

The plantar calcaneonavicular ligament is a ligament in the sole of the feet. It joins the navicular bone in the ankle to the calcaneus, or heel bone.

The posterior talofibular ligament

The posterior talofibular ligament is a lower leg and ankle ligament. It joins the lateral malleolus to the ankle, with the help of the anterior talofibular ligament. These ligaments form a prominence on the side of the ankle.

The posterior tibiofibular ligament

The posterior tibiofibular ligament is a lower leg and ankle ligament. It joins the fibula behind the knee.

The proximal phalanges of the foot

The proximal phalanges of the foot are some of the small bones that make up the skeleton of the toes. Each smaller toe has three phalanges (the big toe has two). The phalange nearest the body of the foot is called the proximal phalange.

The talus

The talus is a tarsal bone and is arranged with a group, called the tarsus, so that it can move freely where it joins the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones). This is known as the head of the talus.