The seven tarsal bones are the bones that make up the ankle and rearfoot region.
Detailed Breakdown of the Tarsal Bones
The tarsal bones are crucial for foot and ankle function, supporting weight, and enabling movement. Here's a list of the 7 tarsal bones:
- Calcaneus: The heel bone, the largest of the tarsal bones.
- Talus: The bone that articulates with the tibia and fibula of the lower leg.
- Navicular: A boat-shaped bone located on the medial side of the foot.
- Medial Cuneiform: The most medial of the cuneiform bones.
- Intermediate Cuneiform: Situated between the medial and lateral cuneiform bones.
- Lateral Cuneiform: The most lateral of the cuneiform bones.
- Cuboid: Located on the lateral side of the foot, anterior to the calcaneus.
These bones work together to provide stability and flexibility to the foot. The reference source clearly states, "The tarsal bones are found in the ankle and include the calcaneus, talus, navicular, medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiform and cuboid."
Here's a table summarizing the tarsal bones:
| Tarsal Bone | Description |
|---|---|
| Calcaneus | Heel bone |
| Talus | Articulates with lower leg bones |
| Navicular | Boat-shaped, medial side of the foot |
| Medial Cuneiform | Most medial of the cuneiforms |
| Intermediate Cuneiform | Between medial and lateral cuneiforms |
| Lateral Cuneiform | Most lateral of the cuneiforms |
| Cuboid | Lateral side of foot, anterior to calcaneus |
