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    Related Topics

    From Musculoskeletal System

    Iliolumbar Ligament
    Ligament connecting the ilium and lumbar vertebrae.
    Patellar Tendon
    Tendon connecting the patella to the tibia.
    Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the joint.
    Rotator Cuff Tendons
    Tendons of the rotator cuff muscles.
    Extensor Tendons
    Tendons that help extend the fingers and toes.
    Coracoacromial Ligament
    Ligament that connects the acromion to the coracoid process.
    Trapezius
    Muscle responsible for moving, rotating, and stabilizing the scapula.
    Masseter
    Muscle that elevates the mandible.
    Latissimus Dorsi
    Back muscle responsible for arm adduction and extension.
    Metatarsals (5 bones)
    5 bones forming the mid-foot.
    Glenohumeral Ligaments
    Shoulder ligaments that stabilize the shoulder joint.
    Wormian Bones
    Sutural bones in the skull.
    Sacroiliac Ligaments
    Ligaments connecting the sacrum to the iliac bones.
    Zygomaticus
    Muscle that raises the corners of the mouth.
    Interspinous Ligament
    Spinal ligament between adjacent vertebral spinous processes.
    Pivot Joints
    e.g., atlanto-axial joint
    Hinge Joints
    e.g., elbow, knee
    Obliques (External and Internal)
    Muscles responsible for torso rotation.
    Lumbar Vertebrae (L1 - L5)
    Vertebrae in the lower back (L1-L5).
    Palatine Bones
    Bones forming part of the hard palate and nasal cavity.
    Thoracic Vertebrae (T1 - T12)
    Vertebrae in the upper and mid-back (T1-T12).
    Pectoralis Major
    Chest muscle responsible for shoulder movement.
    Fibula
    Smaller bone in the lower leg, located alongside the tibia.
    Syndesmoses
    Fibrous joints where bones are connected by ligaments.
    Acetabulum
    The acetabulum is the pelvic socket that connects with the femoral head to form the hip joint, vital for stability, movement, and weight-bearing.

    Tarsals (7 bones)

    Reviewed by our medical team

    7 ankle bones.

    1. Overview

    The tarsals are a group of seven irregularly shaped bones that make up the posterior portion of the foot, forming the ankle and proximal foot region. These bones are integral to weight bearing, stability, and foot mobility. They form the bony framework of the hindfoot and midfoot and articulate with the tibia and fibula superiorly and the metatarsals distally.

    2. Location

    The tarsal bones are located in the posterior part of the foot, divided into two regions:

    • Hindfoot: Includes the talus and calcaneus bones.

    • Midfoot: Comprises the navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiform bones (medial, intermediate, and lateral).

    These bones lie between the bones of the leg (tibia and fibula) and the five metatarsal bones of the forefoot.

    3. Structure

    The seven tarsal bones are:

    • Talus: Forms the lower part of the ankle joint, articulates with the tibia and fibula.

    • Calcaneus: The largest tarsal bone; forms the heel and supports the talus.

    • Navicular: Medial midfoot bone that articulates with the talus and cuneiforms.

    • Cuboid: Lateral midfoot bone that articulates with the calcaneus and lateral metatarsals.

    • Three cuneiforms:

      • Medial, intermediate, and lateral.

      • Located between the navicular and the bases of the first three metatarsals.

    Each tarsal bone is covered with articular cartilage at synovial joint surfaces and has roughened areas for ligament and tendon attachment.

    4. Function

    Tarsal bones perform multiple critical mechanical and supportive functions:

    • Bear body weight: Transfer loads from the leg to the foot during standing and movement.

    • Form joints: Contribute to complex articulations like the subtalar, transverse tarsal, and tarsometatarsal joints.

    • Provide foot structure: Maintain the arches of the foot (especially the medial longitudinal arch).

    • Enable movement: Allow inversion, eversion, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion of the foot.

    5. Physiological role(s)

    In addition to mechanical functions, the tarsals contribute to dynamic motion and sensory feedback:

    • Shock absorption: Their articulation and slight mobility help dissipate impact forces during walking and running.

    • Proprioception: Ligaments and joint capsules surrounding tarsals contain mechanoreceptors that aid balance and gait control.

    • Stabilize gait: Work with surrounding muscles and tendons (e.g., tibialis posterior, peroneals) to stabilize the foot through the gait cycle.

    6. Clinical Significance

    The tarsal bones are involved in various orthopedic and podiatric conditions:

    • Fractures:

      • Calcaneal fracture: Often due to high-energy trauma like falls from height.

      • Talus fracture: Can disrupt blood supply and lead to avascular necrosis.

      • Navicular stress fracture: Common in athletes due to repetitive loading.

    • Tarsal coalition:

      • Congenital fusion of two or more tarsal bones (e.g., talocalcaneal coalition), which can limit foot mobility and cause pain.

    • Flatfoot (pes planus):

      • Collapse of the medial arch often involves dysfunction of tarsal alignment, especially the talonavicular joint.

    • Tarsal tunnel syndrome:

      • Compression of the tibial nerve as it passes near the tarsal bones, leading to pain and numbness in the sole.

    • Arthritis:

      • Osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthritis can affect tarsal joints, particularly after injury.

    Did you know? The humerus is the largest bone in the arm.