Posted on January 19, 2008 in Latest News
Human Foot is incredibly complex in structure. It consists of The 26 bones consist of 14 phalanges, 5 metatarsals and 7 tarsal bones. You can broadly classify the foot into forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot.
Forefoot – The forefoot consists of five metatarsal bones with the phalanges or toes. Metatarsal bones are strongest of the foot bones. The first metatarsal is responsible for bearing weight although it is the shortest of the metatarsals. It is associated with several tendons. The second, third and fourth metatarsals provide stability to the foot. They are associated only with minor tendons. On the plantar surface, slightly above the first metatarsal are two sesamoid bones. One is small oval shaped bone that develops inside a tendon. These small bones are well supported by tendons and ligaments. The forefoot also consists of 14 phalangeal bones.
Midfoot – The midfoot consists of five tarsal bones of the total seven tarsal bones. These tarsal bones are usually navicular, cuboid and three cuneiform. This gives a scope for the presence of multiple joints within the midfoot. The midfoot is then connected to the forefoot by Tarsometatarsal joints. The cuneiforms, navicular and cuboid bones of the midfoot play a significant role in determining the total foot structure.
Hindfoot – The calcaneus and the talus bones constitute the hindfoot. The largest tarsal bone that forms the heel is known as Calcaneus and Talus forms the pivot of the ankle.
There are 20 muscles in the foot responsible for giving the foot shape. They hold the bones in their position and give flexibility to the foot during movements.
The primary muscles of the foot are –
There are smaller muscles that help the toes to lift and curl.
Apart from muscles there are tendons. Tendons are elastic tissues that connect muscles to the bones and joints. The strongest and biggest tendon in the foot is the Achilles tendon. It extends from the calf muscle down to the heels. It facilitates running, jumping, walking, climbing stairs and standing on toes.
Ligaments are responsible for holding the tendons in their place and stabilizing the joints. The longest ligament is plantar fascia. It causes the formation of the arch on the foot sole, extending from the toes to the heel. Its expansion and contraction allows the curving and flattening of the arch while walking. Plantar fascia provides balance and strength to the foot so that it bears the entire body’s weight. There are medial ligaments, located on the inside of the foot and there are lateral ligaments located on the outside of the foot providing stability enabling the foot’s upward and downward movement.
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