(31) Foot

Chapter 1: Big Toe Side

Tarsal Bones

• Tarsals: Bones located near the ankle.

• Importance: Recognize names and distinguish from carpals.

• Key Tarsals to Know:

  • Calcaneus:

    • Also known as the heel bone.

    • Largest of the seven tarsals.

    • Bears the weight of the body when standing.

  • Talus:

    • Second largest tarsal.

    • Forms part of the ankle joint.

    • Positioned between the lateral and medial malleolus of the tibia and fibula.

Metatarsals

• Metatarsals: Bones of the midfoot, similar to metacarpals in the hand.

• Numbering: Begins from the big toe side.

  • First Metatarsal: Big toe

  • Second Metatarsal

  • Third Metatarsal

  • Fourth Metatarsal

  • Fifth Metatarsal

Chapter 2: The Smaller Toes

Phalanges

• Phalanges: Bones of the toes, similar to finger bones.

• Naming and Numbering:

  • Distal Phalanx: The tip bone of the toe.

  • Proximal Phalanx: The bone closest to the foot.

  • Middle Phalanx: Present only in smaller toes (not in the big toe).

• Structure of Phalanges:

  • Each toe (except the big toe) has three phalanges: proximal, middle, and distal.

  • The big toe has only two phalanges: proximal and distal.

Chapter 1: Big Toe Side

Tarsal Bones

• Tarsals: These are the bones in your ankle area.

• Why They Matter: It's important to learn their names and not mix them up with another group of bones called carpals.

Key Tarsals to Know:

• Calcaneus:

  • This is also called the heel bone.

  • It's the biggest tarsal bone and it helps support your weight when you stand.

• Talus:

  • This is the second largest tarsal bone.

  • It helps make part of your ankle joint and sits between two ankle bones called the lateral and medial malleolus.

Metatarsals

• Metatarsals: These are the bones in the middle of your foot, similar to the bones in your hand that are called metacarpals.

• Counting: We start counting from the big toe side.

  • First Metatarsal: Big toe

  • Second Metatarsal

  • Third Metatarsal

  • Fourth Metatarsal

  • Fifth Metatarsal

Chapter 2: The Smaller Toes

Phalanges

• Phalanges: These are the bones in your toes, similar to the bones in your fingers.

Naming and Counting:

• Distal Phalanx: The bone at the tip of your toe.

• Proximal Phalanx: The bone that is closest to your foot.

• Middle Phalanx: This is found only in the smaller toes (not in the big toe).

Structure of Phalanges:

• Each toe (except for the big toe) has three bones: proximal, middle, and distal.

• The big toe only has two bones: proximal and distal.