Foot bones: how many, names and joints

You foot bones are fundamental to ensure that the feet perform their function of promoting locomotion, balance and support of the body. In total, each foot has 26 bones, which are divided into seven tarsal bones, five metatarsal bones and 14 phalanges, with three phalanges per finger, with the exception of the hallux (the big toe).

Talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform and lateral cuneiform are the names of the tarsal bones. The metatarsal bones, in turn, are named according to their position, being numbered from one to five. There are 33 joints in the feet, and they are grouped into four sets: intertarsal, tarsometatarsal, metatarsophalangeal, and interphalangeal.

Read too: What are the bones of the hand?

Foot bones summary

• Each foot has 26 bones.

• Talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform, and lateral cuneiform are tarsal bones.

• There are five metatarsal bones that are named according to their position.

• In total there are 14 phalanges, three per finger, with the exception of the hallux, which has two.

• At the foot there are 33 joints.

How many and what are the bones of the foot?

On each of our feet there are 26 bones, which can be classified into three groups: tarsal bones, metatarsals and the phalansges. These bones are fundamental so that the feet can guarantee the support of our body, balance and locomotion.

The 26 bones in the foot are divided into three groups.

Names and functions of the bones in the foot

Note the illustration of the foot bones and the location of the phalanges.

• Tarsal bones or tarsal bones

The tarsal bones are short but irregular bones. It's sevenyou tarsal bones: talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform and lateral cuneiform. The talus and calcaneus are arranged in the proximal row, while the navicular, cuboid, medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform, and lateral cuneiform are in the distal row.

Among the tarsal bones, we must highlight the function of the talus, which is the only tarsal bone that articulates with the bones of the leg, ensuring that body weight is received and transferred to the bone calcaneus. The calcaneus is the largest bone among the tarsal bones., being responsible for forming the heel.

• Metatarsal bones or metatarsal bones

In the metatarsal group we have a total of five long bones, which are responsible for forming the median region of the feet, connecting the tarsus and the phalanges. The first metatarsal is the largest of all and is related to body support. The metatarsal bones are numbered from one to five.

• Phalanges

“Phalanges” is the name given to the long bones that form the toes. Each finger is made up of three phalanges. (proximal, middle and distal phalanx), with the exception of the hallux, which only has a proximal and distal phalanx.

See too:Human Skeleton—How the 206 Bones in Our Body Are Divided

Joints of the bones of the foot

Note the four types of joints present in the foot.

The foot has 26 bones and 33 joints, which stand out because they are all of the synovial type. Foot joints can be classified into four types:

• Intertarsals: are the joints present between the tarsal bones.

• Tarsometatarsal: are the joints present between the tarsal bones and the metatarsal bones.

• Metatarsophalangeal: are the joints present between the metatarsal bones and the phalanges.

• Interphalangeal: are the joints present between the phalanges.

By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher