The foot skeleton

What you will learn

• Orient the foot skeleton and distinguish its anterior and posterior regions.
• Identify the seven tarsal bones and their two rows, as well as the Chopart and Lisfranc joints.
• Describe the calcaneus, talus, metatarsals and phalanges with the explicitly taught landmarks and relationships.
• Relate the bony organisation of the foot to standing, walking and distribution of body weight.
• Recognize the anatomical implications of calcaneal and talar fractures and Lisfranc injuries.

Course outline

1. Read the foot as a weight-bearing unit

   A global map locates the foot's 26 bones, its three groups and the orientation landmarks needed before detailed study.

   8 min

2. The two tarsal rows and the calcaneus

   The seven tarsal bones form two rows; the calcaneus is the large posterior support and its landmarks are read from both surfaces.

   14 min

3. The talus: body, neck, head and trochlea

   The talus links the posterior tarsus to the leg, calcaneus and navicular; its trochlea has three articular facets.

   12 min

4. Metatarsus, phalanges and the Lisfranc joint

   The five metatarsals extend the tarsus forward and the fourteen phalanges form the toe skeleton, with a regular pattern except at the hallux.

   11 min

5. Functional landmarks to retain

   A synthesis links the foot bones to support, walking and weight distribution while recalling the distinct roles of the leg bones transmitted to the foot.

   8 min

6. Clinical implications from the hindfoot to Lisfranc

   Relate load transmission to calcaneal and talar fractures, then use tarsometatarsal alignment to recognize a Lisfranc injury.

   14 min