Tarsals | Tarsal Bones Anatomy

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

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The tarsal bones are a group of seven bones that form the ankle and instep.

Markings of the tarsal bones (tarsals):

  1. image descriptionCalcaneus (L., calcaneus, the heel) – large tarsal bone that forms the heel of the foot.
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  1. image descriptionTalus (L., talus, ankle) – large tarsal bone whose superior surface is smooth and rounded; – articulates with tibia and fibula above to form the ankle joint.
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  1. image descriptionNavicular(L., navicula, boat ) – bone located anterior to calcaneus.

Use these interactive bones of the foot quizzes to master your identification skills!

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  1. image descriptionCuboid (Gr., kubos, cube + eidos, form) –  bone located anterior to the calcaneus.
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  1. image descriptionMedial (1st) cuneiform (L., cuneus, wedge + forma, shape) – most medial of the 3 cuneiform bones. It’s located anterior to the navicular bone.
  2. image descriptionMiddle (2nd) cuneiform – middle of the 3 cuneiform bones.
  3. image descriptionLateral (3rd) cuneiform – most lateral of the 3 cuneiform bones.

Test yourself:

image descriptionShow/image descriptionHide answers

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