Foot

🦶 Foot Flashcards

Front: Tarsals (7 per foot)
Back:
Definition: Short bones in the ankle area arranged in 3 groups (proximal, intermediate, distal).
Function: Transfer body weight from leg to foot and allow foot movement; muscle attachment sites.
💡 “Tarsals = Toes’ base stones.”
📍 Proximal: Calcaneus, Talus
📍 Intermediate: Navicular
📍 Distal (lateral to medial): Cuboid, Lateral Cuneiform, Intermediate Cuneiform, Medial Cuneiform

Front: Calcaneus
Back:
Definition: Largest tarsal bone, forms the heel.
Function: Bears body weight during stepping and anchors the Achilles tendon.
💡 Calcaneus = “Can carry you” — it’s your heel!

Front: Talus
Back:
Definition: Tarsal bone above the calcaneus that forms the ankle joint.
Function: Articulates with tibia and fibula to allow ankle movement.
💡 Talus = “Taller” connection between leg and foot.

Front: Metatarsals (5 per foot)
Back:
Definition: Long bones in the middle of the foot, numbered 1–5 from big toe to pinky toe.
Function: Transfer weight forward from tarsals to toes and provide muscle attachment.
💡 Meta = middle of the foot
📍 Metatarsal 1 = base of big toe, Metatarsal 5 = base of pinky toe

Front: Phalanges (14 per foot)
Back:
Definition: Toe bones — proximal, middle, and distal phalanges (except big toe).
Function: Allow toe movement and serve as muscle attachment points.
💡 Big toe (digit 1) has only 2 bones (proximal & distal); all others (digits 2–5) have 3.