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    Related Topics

    From Musculoskeletal System

    Fibula
    Smaller bone in the lower leg, located alongside the tibia.
    Sphenoid Bone
    Bone forming part of the base of the skull and sides of the orbits.
    Sternum
    Breastbone located in the center of the chest.
    Masseter
    Muscle that elevates the mandible.
    Ischium
    Part of the pelvis that supports weight while sitting.
    Rectus Abdominis
    Abs muscle that flexes the trunk.
    Gomphoses
    Fibrous joints where a peg fits into a socket (e.g., teeth in jaw).
    Gliding (Plane) Joints
    e.g., between carpals
    Pelvic Floor Muscles
    Muscles that support pelvic organs.
    Acromioclavicular Ligament
    Ligament that connects the acromion to the clavicle.
    Extensor Tendons
    Tendons that help extend the fingers and toes.
    Skull
    Bony structure of the head that encases the brain.
    Wormian Bones
    Sutural bones in the skull.
    Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
    Knee ligament that stabilizes the joint.
    Humerus
    Upper arm bone connecting the shoulder to the elbow.
    Maxillae
    Upper jaw bones that house the teeth and form part of the orbit.
    Buccinator
    Muscle that helps with chewing and blowing air out.
    Mandible
    Lower jawbone that houses the teeth.
    Saddle Joints
    e.g., thumb joint
    Sesamoid Bones
    e.g., patella, some found in hands/feet.
    Adductors
    Muscles that bring the thighs toward the midline.
    Rotator Cuff Muscles
    Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, Subscapularis.
    Facial Bones
    Bones forming the structure of the face.
    Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
    Spinal ligament running along the back of the vertebral column.
    Zygomatic Bones
    Cheekbones that form part of the orbit.

    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 coccyx is the remnant of the tailbone in humans.