The structure of the human foot. What are the parts of the human leg called?

Human feet are a part of the body through which a person moves, maintains balance, and with the help of the foot the body can provide resistance while performing many movements. The process of evolution has made the structure of the foot complex, due to which modern man can walk upright.

The foot consists of 26 bones that are connected by ligaments and joints. There are also many muscles and tendons there. In anatomy, there are three sections of the foot, which will be discussed below.

Foot bones

As you know, the human foot resembles the hands; there are sections that are similar in structure, but they are called differently.

The feet have:

Tarsal bones. This part of the foot consists of seven bones - the calcaneus and talus are large, the rest are wedge-shaped, club-shaped and navicular. The talus is located in the area between the bones of the lower leg and is part of the ankle.
Metatarsus - middle part of the foot. Consists of five tube-shaped bones, they go to the beginning of the fingers. At the end of these bones there is a joint surface that helps the fingers move. Also, this group of bones ensures the correct level of the arch.
The end of the foot is the phalanges of the fingers (rib formation); they are mobile due to the presence of joints between them. There are 14 bones in this part. The thumb consists of two bones, and the rest have 3 in each finger. Due to this part, a person can maintain body balance and perform simple movements. However, there have been many cases where, as a result of the loss of arms, a person maintains his vital functions with the help of his toes.

The bones are connected to each other by joints. The correct structure of the ankle and foot bones is ensured by nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles and joints.

Location of bones

As you know, bones are an important element responsible for structure. They need to be considered in more detail.

The largest bone is the calcaneus, located in the back of the foot and bears a lot of load, this bone partly contributes to the flexibility of both arches. The bone is not part of the ankle, but it distributes pressure. It is shaped like a three-dimensional rectangle with a long axis.

In the front part there are joints that are needed for the strongest connection between the heel and heel, thereby ensuring the normal shape of the foot. There is a small protrusion at the back of the bone where the Achilles tendon is attached. The bottom side of the person steps on the ground.

There is also a tubercle in the front for connection to the joint. The entire surface is covered with protrusions and depressions for the attachment of nerves, blood vessels, muscles and ligaments.

Slightly smaller is the talus, which enters the ankle. Almost all of it is covered with cartilage, and what is most interesting is that nothing except ligaments is attached to it. The bone has five surfaces covered with a thin layer of hyaline cartilage.

It consists of a body, head and neck:

body - is part of the ankle, connected to the foot through ligaments and joints;
The head is the front of the bone that has an articular surface. The head provides a strong connection to the boat.
The neck is the thin part located between the head and the body.

Cuboid. Located on the outside of the foot behind the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones. Outwardly, it looks like a cube, which gave it its name.

Scaphoid. Its peculiarity is that it is located on the foot itself and, through joints, is brought together with the talus bone, forming.

Sphenoid bones. There are three such bones on the human foot; they are small in size and located close to each other (in rib order). Behind them is the navicular bone, and in front of them are the metatarsal bones.

The structure and functions of the metatarsal bones are the same in both adults and children. Anatomical appearance - tube-shaped with an angled bend. This bend forms the arches of the feet. There are tubercles on the surface for attaching ligaments, muscles and joints.

The bones of the phalanges of the fingers are identical to those on the hands, differing only in size. The big toe has two phalanges, the other four toes have three.

Due to the load on the feet, the phalanges of the big toe are thick, while the rest are thin and short. They are connected to each other by joints, thanks to which a person can bend and straighten his fingers.

Structure of joints

The feet have many joints that move several bones together at the same time. Regarding size, the ankle joint is considered the largest; it connects three large bones together. Thanks to this connection, a person can raise and lower the foot, as well as rotate it. All other joints are smaller, but perform the same function, which together makes the foot flexible and mobile.

The ankle joint consists of a large talus and two smaller tibia bones. The latter have ankles that fix the talus. There are strong ligaments along the edges, and the joint itself is attached to the cartilage that covers the surface of the bone.

An important component is the subtalar (transverse) joint, which consists of a low-moving joint and performs the function of the arch of the talus and calcaneus. It connects three bones - the scaphoid, calcaneus and talus; ligaments are also involved in the connection process, contributing to a tighter fixation.

The cuboid and calcaneus bones are connected by the joint of the same name. Together with the subtalar, they form a practical type of education. This connection is sometimes called the "Greek cavity" and is known medically as "".

As for surgical practice, the joints that are located on the scaphoid and sphenoid bones are of least importance. But the metatarsals are connected by low-moving joints; they are surrounded by elastic ligaments and are part of the transverse and longitudinal arches of the foot. The intermetatarsal joints are located costally in the space between the metatarsal bones.

One of the most important joints are those called metatarsophalangeal joints; they are involved in almost every step or movement of the body when walking.

Foot ligaments

The most important of all is the longitudinal (or long) plantar ligament. The ligament extends from the heel bone and reaches the beginning of the metatarsal bones. It has many branches that perform the function of strengthening and fixing the longitudinal and transverse arches, and also maintains them in normal condition throughout life. But, as you know, violation of the arches of the feet can indicate flat feet, the treatment of which sometimes takes more than one year, especially if it concerns an adult.

The remaining, smaller ligaments also fix and strengthen the bones and joints of the foot, which helps a person maintain body balance and withstand dynamic and static loads during long walking or running.

Any movements of the feet are possible only with the help of the muscles that are located in the area of the foot, ankle and lower leg. The important thing is that the calf muscles help make many movements of the feet, both when walking and in an upright position.

Calf muscles

In the anterior part there is a group of long extensor muscles, the tibialis muscle. A person uses them when performing dorsal extension or flexion of the feet. Thanks to these muscles, a person can straighten and bend his fingers.

The external or lateral group includes the short and long peroneus muscles. With their help, it is possible to perform pronation, as well as lateral flexion of the foot.

The back part is distinguished by massive muscle groups consisting of many layers. They have a huge daily workload. This includes the triceps muscle, which consists of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. This area contains the flexor digitorum longus muscle, as well as part of the tibialis muscle. These muscle groups allow plantar flexion to be performed using the Achilles tendon. They are also involved in the process of extension and flexion of the fingers.

The dorsal muscle group contains the extensor digitorum brevis. It originates from the heel and is responsible for the motor activity of the four toes, but does not control the big toe.

On the sole of the foot there are several small muscles responsible for adduction, abduction and flexion of the toes.

Vessels and nerves

The posterior and anterior tibial arteries are responsible for the flow of blood into the human feet. On the foot itself, these arteries continue with the external internal and dorsal arteries located on the plantar part. They also form a small number of arterial connections and circles. And in case of injury of varying severity, when damage occurs to one of the circles, the rest will be able to ensure normal blood flow to the feet.

As for the outflow of blood, it is carried out by the veins of the same name, which are located on the back side. These veins form the weave. Thanks to them, blood flows into the small and large saphenous veins located in the lower leg.

Nerve impulses from the central nervous system are transmitted along the sural, deep peroneal, superficial and posterior tibial nerves. Thanks to nervous innervation, a person feels movement in space, vibration, pain, touch, and distinguishes between cold and heat. All nerve impulses are processed in the spinal cord.

These same nerves provide signal transmission from the brain to muscle groups. Such impulses are called reflexes, which can be involuntary or voluntary. As for the latter, this is observed when muscle tissue contracts, which does not always depend on the will of the person. The reason for this phenomenon may be the work of the sweat and sebaceous glands, an increase or decrease in the tone of the vascular walls.

The top layer is the skin. The skin on the feet differs depending on the area of the foot. On the sole itself it has a high density, but in the heel area it is thicker. The skin has the same structure as on the palms, but as a result of high loads, it begins to layer with age. In the dorsal area, the skin is quite smooth and elastic, there are nerve endings here.

So, based on everything that has been said above, it becomes clear that nature has made sure that the feet can withstand enormous pressure. The formation of the foot is rarely influenced by a person's nationality or the conditions in which he lives.

If at least one element of the foot is injured, a hyperkeratotic form of mycosis of the feet, deforming osteoarthritis, flat feet, heel spurs and other serious diseases may develop.

Every healthy person has feet. However, if you ask a passerby on the street what the foot as a mechanism is, what the bones of the foot are and how many there are in total, not everyone will answer. But this is a very serious question: the health of the body as a whole largely depends on the health of a small foot.

At the bottom of the lower limb is the human foot, which performs the most important function of support, maintaining balance and softening shocks when walking. The structure of the foot, despite its small size (on average 25-30 centimeters), is quite complex. The feet consist of three important parts: muscles, ligaments and toe bones.

A healthy foot performs the function of support and balance without any problems. The toes, unlike the fingers, are no longer required to hold objects (humans have lost the grasping ability of the toes in the process of evolution). The phalanges of the toes are much shorter than the phalanges of the fingers. At the same time, males have longer fingers than women, and the shape of male fingers also differs from female ones. Depending on the shape, scientists have divided people's feet into 3 types.

Egyptian shape - the first finger is much larger than the other 4.
Quadrangular in shape - the first and second fingers are equal in length.
Greek form - the second finger is longer than the thumb and all the others.

Let's take a closer look at the bones of the foot. How many are there? In total, a normal foot has 25 bones, which form three sections - the tarsus, pluses and toes. The tarsus (or navicular bone) is made up of 7 bones arranged in two lines. The first line contains such bones.

Cuboid. It is located at the outer edge of the foot. Below the cuboid bone has a notch for the peroneal tendon.
Scaphoid. It is located on the inside of the foot. The scaphoid bone has a slight convexity.
Medial, lateral, intermediate sphenoid bones. They form the anterointernal tarsus.

In the second - the talus and calcaneus bones.

Heel. This bone is located at the bottom of the foot, behind the tarsus. This is the largest of all the bones of the foot.
The talus bone forms the lower part of the ankle joint.

The metatarsus is 5 small tubular bones. It is the metatarsal part, interacting with the tarsus, that forms the joints responsible for the mobility of the foot. Toes - a person has 5 toes on each foot. They are built from several tubular bones (phalanxes). The first (thumb) finger is made of two, the rest are made of three.

The nerves of the foot (posterior tibial, superficial peroneal, deep peroneal, gastrocnemius) allow a person to control muscle function and conduct signals to the brain. If the functioning of any of the above nerves is disrupted, a person will experience pain in the lower limb area.

The bones of the foot are connected to each other through joints.

The most important joints of the foot are the ankle, tarsal, tarsometatarsal, intermetatarsal, interphalangeal and metatarsophalangeal. All of them have a rather complex structure. Thus, the ankle joint connects the foot to the lower leg. It consists of several departments (see table).

Lifting Features

If a person’s feet are in order, then their elements such as the tarsus and metatarsus are in different planes. So, the talus goes above the calcaneus, and the navicular goes above the calcaneus and cuboid. It is this gradation that ensures the correct arch of the foot. Thus, a healthy foot is not perfectly flat; its dorsal surface has an indentation (arch), which allows for slight springing when walking, reducing the load on the legs and the musculoskeletal system as a whole.

How well a person’s foot works is largely influenced by the arch or instep of the foot. It is interesting that children have no irregularities on the surface of their feet after birth, and their arch begins to form only with their first steps (closer to one year). It is very important to monitor how a child's foot develops.

The anatomy of the foot states that it is considered normal if the back of the foot has two notches (longitudinal and transverse arches). In this case, the longitudinal arch runs along the edge of the foot, and the transverse arch runs between the toes.

The anatomy of the foot also indicates that the internal longitudinal arch is formed by the sphenoid, navicular, talus and two metatarsal bones. The navicular bone in articulation with the talus (joint) is located exactly in the middle of the internal longitudinal arch.

As for the external longitudinal arch, it is formed by the cuboid, calcaneus and also two metatarsal bones. The transverse arch is formed by the bases of the metatarsal bones (there should be a third metatarsal bone in the middle).

Types of feet

What are the different types of feet? The feet, depending on the height of the arches, are of three types. Among them: feet with a high arch; feet with low arches; feet with normal arches.

You can determine your type yourself using a simple test. To carry it out you will need a container of water and an ordinary sheet of paper. So, you should wet your feet in water, and then carefully stand on clean paper. Then step back and look at the traces left behind.

If only 2 small spots are visible on the paper (in the area of the toes and heels), the feet have a high arch. If the footprint of almost the entire foot is noticeable, the arch is not high, on the contrary, it is very low, perhaps there is flat feet. If you get an average result, and the foot print shows, but not completely, a bend is implied, then the arch is most likely normal.

Of course, the ideal option is to have a normal arch, since in the first two cases the very important task of depreciation is greatly impaired. With a normal, longitudinal arch, the 1st metatarsal bone is located at an angle, which allows the feet to roll slightly, significantly reducing the load and pressure.

If the arch is low (transverse arch of the foot), there is no such angle, the foot is unable to absorb shock. And the load when walking falls on the knees, hip joints and even the spine, which can lead to serious diseases of the musculoskeletal system and circulatory disorders.

A high arch is much preferable to a low one. A high arch is also called sporty. A high arch allows athletes to develop greater speed without overexerting their feet.

Along with this, lifting too high brings people a lot of trouble. Not only is it quite problematic to choose dress shoes for high insteps, but also the feet of those whose instep is too high hurt after walking and often swell.

A person who has a high arch walks less steadily. In this regard, it is extremely important to control the formation of the foot in children, not only to prevent flat feet, but also to ensure that the arch does not turn out to be too high.

Forming the arch of a child's feet

How long does it take for children's feet to form? According to scientists, about 6 years. It is during this time that muscles, bones and ligaments become stronger. That is, it is during the preschool period that it is easiest to influence the development of children’s feet and ensure that a healthy skeleton is formed.

Otherwise, a sprain may occur, which in the future will develop into flat feet. To avoid this, babies who have just started walking should choose good shoes with a hard back and a small heel. It is worth noting that the shape of children’s feet is most often embedded in their DNA, and it is difficult to change it, no matter how hard you try, even in childhood.

As for congenital diseases, such as adductus foot, their treatment should begin as early as possible - preferably before a year, while the joints of the foot are soft and the bones have not yet fully formed. If a disease such as adducted foot is detected, it means that the child’s foot muscles and ligaments (more precisely, part of the ligaments covering the back of the foot) are developing incorrectly, and subsequently the metatarsal bones are deformed.

This pathology is expressed in the fact that the distance between the first two fingers increases significantly, and the arch becomes longitudinal. Depending on the intensity of bone curvature, the disease has three degrees of severity. In the first two cases, treatment consists of applying a plaster cast; in case of particularly severe disease, surgery is necessary.

During the period when the foot skeleton is being formed especially intensively (from 1 to 5 years), the child should be under the supervision of specialists.

The foot is the lower anatomical part of the leg. In medical terminology, it is located most distally, that is, away from the center of the body or the place of attachment to the body. The skeleton of the foot is quite complex and ideally matches the function assigned to the human feet. They went through a long evolution to adapt to walking upright.

Bone base of the foot

On the foot, there are areas formed by certain bone groups: the tarsal metatarsus and the phalanges of the fingers.

The tarsus is the section of the foot located immediately below the ankle joint area. From above it is limited by a circular line drawn through the posterior edge of the heel bone along the lower edges of the ankles, which corresponds to the upper border of the human foot. The tarsus consists of seven spongy bones, which are arranged in two rows:

The back row is the same part that is the main structure of the heel and consists of two relatively massive bones of a complex “irregular” shape: the talus and the calcaneus.
The front row is divided into two more sections - the one located with (medial) and the one located on the outer edge (lateral). The first includes three wedge-shaped bones and the scaphoid, which occupies an intermediate position between them and the head of the talus. The second is represented by the cuboid alone - it is located between the 4th and 5th metatarsal bones in front and the calcaneus in the back.

The metatarsus occupies an intermediate position among the three regions. Here the variety of sizes, shapes and names stops abruptly. It is built of five bones, which are very similar to those located in the metacarpus of the upper limb. They consist of several parts:

grounds;
bodies;
heads.

The phalanges of the toes are the smallest of all the bones of the foot. Each finger is formed from three such bones, with the exception of the big one - the structure of the human foot is such that it contains only two phalanges. It is also called the first, it is from here that the numbering of the toes begins - from I to V.

In addition to the listed bones, there are also special sesamoid bones, which are small in size and serve to protect the tendons and increase their leverage. They can be located between the phalanges of the big toe, as well as in the area of the articulations of the metatarsus and phalanges.

Ankle joint

The anatomy of the human foot is rich in interosseous joints, which are mostly represented by joints - they are strengthened by ligaments. Before examining each one individually, it is necessary to summarize the general information about what a joint is. This is a synovial joint capable of participating in a wide variety of movements depending on its structure (in the photo of the diagram on the right). It may contain the following articular elements:

surfaces;
cartilage;
cavity;
capsule;
discs and menisci;
lip.

It should be remembered that the joint is at the peak of development among all other interosseous joints; in the structure of the foot, one of them occupies a special position - it is of the largest size and is quite complex in structure. Ankle joint. It is so large and powerful that it has been isolated into a separate anatomical region - the “ankle joint area”. Formed from certain parts:

The articular surfaces are formed with the help of the tibia and fibula, their lower ends - they form a recess for, covering it on several sides. The block is also involved in the construction of the joint. There are 6 surfaces in total.
Hyaline cartilage covers the outer parts of the connecting surfaces, preventing them from directly touching. It forms the joint space, defined on x-ray as the distance between the bones.
The joint capsule is attached just along the edge of the cartilage and in front captures the area of the talus - its neck.

Do not forget about the presence of the ligamentous apparatus, which often accompanies interosseous joints. The ankle joint is strengthened by the medial and lateral accessory ligaments. The first resembles the letter delta from the Greek alphabet: it is attached above to the inner malleolus, below - to the navicular, talus and calcaneus. The second comes from the outer ankle, diverging in three directions, forming ligaments.

This joint is defined as a trochlear joint: it moves around the frontal axis, only when flexed can the human “paw” make sideways movements.

Other joints of the foot and their ligaments

Directly between the bones of the human foot there are many movable joints (full diagram in the photo). In the tarsal region alone there are four:

Subtalar joint. It has a cylindrical shape and limited mobility. The joint is supported by three connective tissue cords. Differs in functional integrity from a clinical point of view.
The talocaleonavicular joint is considered a ball-and-socket joint, but is only movable in one sagittal plane around its axis.
The calcaneocuboid joint takes part in the motor activity of the two above. Together with the previous joint, it is called the “transverse tarsal joint.” It is surrounded by two ligaments, which are a continuation of the so-called bifurcated ligament. It is considered the “key” of the joint, since it must be cut in order to gain full access to it.
Wedge-navicular joint. It is easy to guess what articular surfaces it consists of - all three sphenoid bones take part in their formation in front. The synovial joint is strengthened by several groups of tarsal ligaments.

The anatomy of the foot is complex and diverse. In addition to the above joints of the lower part of the human leg, there are five tarsometatarsal, metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. The latter does not necessarily have to be present in the area of the fifth finger, since the middle and distal phalanx of this finger can be fused. There are also intermetatarsal joints, strengthened by the dorsal, interosseous and plantar ligaments of the metatarsus. The ligamentous and articular apparatus of the foot must be protected, since each of its elements performs a specific function that ensures the most comfortable movement in this area.

Foot muscle groups

The structure of the foot, as is known, is not limited to the skeleton. The muscular composition of the human foot area, like the articular one, is very diverse.

The table shows the muscles and their groups that descend from the lower leg to the foot.

Group	Muscle name	Function (for foot movement)
Front	Extensor pollicis longus	Extension of the big toe, as well as the foot as a whole, while raising its inner edge
	Extensor digitorum longus	Participates in extension, elevation of the outer edge, abduction to the side
	Anterior tibial	Extension, raises the inner edge
Lateral	Long fibular	Pronation, abduction, flexion
	Short fibular	Pronation, abduction, flexion
Rear
Surface layer	Forms the Achilles tendon	Motor activity of the ankle joint
Deep layer	Flexor digitorum longus	Supination and flexion
	Posterior tibial	Adduction and flexion
	Flexor hallucis longus	Can bend not only the first finger, but also play a role in bending others

Considering the serious functional role of the foot, it is easy to assume that in addition to the above-mentioned tendons attached to its bones, short muscles are located on them, similar to the upper limbs. The structure of the human foot suggests the presence of certain groups:

lateral;
average;
dorsal muscles;
plantar muscles.

It is important to remember that anatomical terminology is structured in such a way that often the very name of the muscle contains its function. Often movements are carried out by several of them at once. If one muscle is damaged, its role can be partially compensated by another that performs a similar function.

Neurovascular formations of the foot area

In humans, the body is structured in such a way that often blood vessels and nerves extend throughout the body, accompanying each other. Such relationships came to be called neurovascular bundles. They are located in almost every region.

Thus, the tibial bundle in front is represented by the following formations:

anterior tibial artery;
two anterior tibial veins;
deep peroneal nerve.

When they move to the foot, their names change: dorsal artery of the foot, dorsal veins of the foot, and two dorsal digital nerves, respectively. The arterial vessel branches into many branches, supplying blood to various areas of the foot. The nerve is responsible only for the movement of the extensor digitorum brevis and the sensitivity of the skin of the sides of the fingers facing each other in the area of the first interdigital space. The skin of the remaining areas of the phalanges from the rear is innervated by the branches of the superficial peroneal nerve, coming from the side of the lateral muscles of the leg.

The posterior, so-called tibial bundle consists of certain components:

posterior tibial artery;
two veins of the same name;
tibial nerve.

In the lower part of the leg, the artery gives off two branches: internal (medial) and external (lateral) plantar, which form two arterial arches. The tibial nerve gives off its branches to various areas of the sole, also directing one to the lateral side of the dorsum of the foot (schematic representation in the photo).

The complex structure of the human foot is accompanied by an equally intricate course of nerves.

Knowledge of the anatomy of the foot is necessary for a correct understanding of almost any pathology, one way or another, associated with this area of the lower limb.

The ankle is the support of the human skeleton in its lower part. It is on it that we rely when we walk, run or play sports. The weight load falls on the foot, and not the moving load, as on the knees. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the structure of the human foot, presenting a diagram of it with the designation of ligaments and bones.

This area of the body is considered the distal sphere of the leg - the limb located below. This is a complex joint of tiny bones that form a strong arch and serve as support when we move or stand. The anatomy of the foot and its structure will become clearer if you know the diagram of its structure.

The underside of the foot that touches the ground is usually called the sole, the foot. Its reverse side is called the back. It is divided into three components:

digital phalanges;
metatarsus;
tarsus.

The arched design and abundance of joints give the foot amazing reliability and strength, moreover, elasticity and flexibility.

Foot ligaments

The ligamentous apparatus of the foot and lower leg holds all the bone structures together, protecting the joint and limiting its movements. Anatomically, these structures are divided into three sets.

The first of them includes fibers that connect the shin bones to each other. Interosseous is the area of the membrane located below, stretched between the shin bones along its entire length. The posterior lower one is designed to prevent internal movements of the bones. The anterior fibular inferior goes to the ankle, located outside, from the tibial bone, keeping the ankle from rotating outward. The transverse ligament fixes the foot against inward movement. These fibers attach the fibula to the tibia.

The external ligaments are represented by the anterior and posterior talofibular ligaments, as well as the calcaneofibular ligament. They come from the outer region of the fibula, running in all possible directions to parts of the tarsus. That's why they are called the "deltoid ligament." They are designed to strengthen the outer edge of this area.

The next group includes internal ligaments that run along the side of the joint. This included the tibial navicular, tibial heel ligament, and the posterior and anterior tibial talus. They start on the inside of the ankle. Designed to restrain the tarsal bones from displacement. The most powerful ligament does not stand out here - they are all quite strong.

Foot bones

The foot ligaments are always attached to the bones. On the rear of the tarsus are the calcaneal and talus, in front – the trio of wedge-shaped, cuboid and navicular. The talus bone is located between the heel and the distal end of the shin bones, connecting the foot to the lower leg. It has a head with a body, between them, in turn, there is a narrowing, a neck.

On top of this body there is an articular region, a block that serves as a connection to the shin bones. A similar surface is present on the head, in its front part. It articulates with the scaphoid bone.

It is curious that on the body, externally and internally, articular elements are found that articulate with the ankles. There is also a deep groove in the lower area. It separates the articular elements that articulate it with the heel bone.

The calcaneus belongs to the posteroinferior part of the tarsus. Its shape is somewhat elongated and flattened on the sides. It is considered the largest in this area. It contains a body and a tubercle. The latter can be easily palpated.

Bone has articular components. They articulate it with the bones:

with a ram - at the top;
with cuboid - in front.

On the inside of the heel bone there is a protrusion that serves as a base for the talus bone.

The navicular bone is located near the inner end of the foot. It is located in front of the talus, inside the cuboid and behind the sphenoid bones. On its inner area, a tuberosity was found, looking down.

Being quite palpable under the skin, it is an identifying point that allows you to determine the height of the inner region of the longitudinal arch of the foot. In front it is convex. Articular areas also exist here. They articulate with nearby bones.

The cuboid bone is located at the outer part of the foot, articulating:

in front - with the 5th and 4th metatarsals;
behind - from the heel;
from the inside - with the external wedge-shaped and scaphoid.

There is a furrow along the bottom side. The tendon of the peroneus longus muscle is located here.

In the tarsus, the anterior internal compartment includes wedge-shaped ossicles:

lateral;
intermediate;
medial.

They are located in front of the scaphoid, behind the 1st three metatarsals and inside relative to the cuboid bone.

In the five metatarsal bones, each one is tubular in appearance. All stand out:

head;
body;
base.

Any representative of this group has a body that externally resembles a 3-sided prism. The longest in it is the second, the first is the thickest and shortest. On the bases of the metatarsal bones there are articular areas that articulate them with other bones - the nearest metatarsal bones, as well as the tarsal bones.

On the heads there are areas of joints that articulate them with the proximal phalanges located in the fingers. Any of the metatarsal bones can be easily palpated from the back. Soft tissues cover them with a relatively small layer. All of them are located in different planes, creating an arch in the transverse direction.

In the foot, the toes are divided into phalanges. Like a hand, the first finger has a pair of phalanges, the rest have three. Often, in the fifth finger, a pair of phalanges grows together into a single whole, and ultimately in its skeleton there remains not a trio, but a pair. The phalanges are divided into distal, middle and proximal. Their fundamental difference on the legs is that they are shorter than on the arms (distal ones, in particular).

Just like the hand, the foot has sesamoid bones - and much more pronounced. Most of them are observed in the area where the 5th and 4th metatarsal bones connect with the proximal phalanges. Sesamoid bones enhance transverse arching in the anterior part of the metatarsus.

The ligaments in the foot are also attached to the muscles. On its back surface there is a pair of muscles. We are talking about short extensors of the fingers.

Both extensors start from the inner and outer spheres of the calcaneus. They are fixed on the proximal digital phalanges that correspond to them. The main work of these muscles is to extend the toes.

The muscles and ligaments of the foot are diverse. There are three muscle groups located on the surface of the sole. The internal group includes the following muscles responsible for the operation of the thumb:

the one who takes him away;
flexor brevis;
the one that brings him.

All of them, starting from the bones of the tarsus and metatarsus, are attached to the big toe - the base of its proximal phalanx. The functionality of this group is clear from the definitions.

The outer muscle group of the foot is everything that affects the fifth toe. We are talking about a pair of muscles - the short flexor, as well as the one that abducts the little finger. Each of them is attached to the 5th finger - namely to its proximal phalanx.

The most important among the groups is the middle one. Includes muscles:

short flexor for fingers, from the second to the fifth, attached to their middle phalanges;
quadrate plantar, attached to the tendon;
vermiform;
interosseous - plantar and dorsal.

The direction of the latter is to the proximal phalanges (from the 2nd to the 5th).

These muscles start on the bones of the metatarsus and tarsus on the plantar region of the foot, except for the lumbricals, which start from the tendons of the long digital flexor. All muscles are involved in various movements of the fingers.

In the plantar region the muscle tissue is stronger than on the back. This is due to different functional features. In the plantar region, the muscles hold the arches of the foot, to a large extent providing its spring properties.

The human foot is a fairly highly developed part of the body; it not only holds the body in space, but also resists various forces that arise during the performance of many complex movements. In the process of evolution, the anatomy of the foot became so complex that it provided humans with the ability to walk upright. In total, there are 26 bones of various sizes in the human foot, all of them are united by joints and ligaments. They can be divided into three groups; they will help to understand the structure of this section of the lower limb.

Anatomical zones

In humans, the hand and foot have their own characteristics; the sections are approximately the same, but have different names.

In the foot there are:

Tarsal bones. There are seven bones in this section, the largest of which are the talus and calcaneus; the other small ones are the navicular, cuboid, and three wedge-shaped. The first talus, which is securely fixed between both bones of the leg, is involved in the formation of the ankle, ensuring its flexibility.
The metatarsus includes five tube-shaped bones, which then merge into the fingers with the previous section. There is an articular surface at each end, this allows you to make the toes as mobile as possible and ensure the normal position of the arch of the foot.
The foot ends with the phalanges of the fingers, with movable joints located between them. In total, this section includes fourteen bones, of which two bones have the first, or thumb, and three each contain all the others. This department provides balance, the ability to make small movements, difficult when it comes to people who do not have arms, but use their legs instead.

This division of bones is associated with the relative positions associated with the formation of joints. The foot is formed not only by bones: joints, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves take part in its formation.

The foot has its own sections, it wouldn’t hurt to know them. In the hindfoot there are massive bones: the talus and calcaneus. In the middle section there is the scaphoid, three different shaped sphenoid bones, and the cuboid. In the anterior section of a person there are components of the tarsus and phalanges of the toes.

Foot bones

When the main components are known, the division of the foot is clear, you need to understand the bones in detail. You need to start with the largest bone, the heel bone, it is at the back, it experiences a constant load, and it largely ensures the flexibility of the arch. It is not part of the ankle, but receives and evenly distributes the load from it. In appearance, the bone is easy to imagine as a three-dimensional rectangular formation with a long axis, which is oriented forward, to the side; there are a total of six surfaces on the surfaces of the bone.

In front there are joints through which powerful articulation with the talus occurs. On the back of the human bone there is a special tubercle to which it is attached. The lower surface of the bone is in contact with the ground.
There is a protrusion in front, with its help the articulation and joint are formed in the area of the scaphoid bone. The entire surface of this important bone in humans has many protrusions and depressions; they are needed for the passage and attachment of ligaments, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. Both the right and left bones have the same structure.

The second bone in the human foot is considered to be the talus; it is part of the formation of the ankle. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that more than two-thirds of a person’s bone is covered by cartilage, and not a single muscle or tendon is attached to it, only ligaments. All five surfaces, under the thin hyaline cartilage covering the bone plate, have a head, a body, followed by a neck. The head is the front part, which has a joint surface, with the help of which a strong articulation with the boat occurs. In this bone, the neck is a thin area between the body and the head; this is a rather vulnerable place in case of injury. The body takes part in the formation of the ankle; special joints and ligaments connect it to the heel.

The cuboid bone is located where the outer side of the foot is, in front of it there are the fourth and fifth metatarsals. It is shaped like a cube, which prompted anatomists to give it this name.

The peculiarity of the scaphoid bone is that it is projected on the foot and is connected to the talus by its joint. In children's or adult feet, this bone forms the arch. In some cases, the bone has joints under the fifth metatarsal and cuboid bones.

The sphenoid bones are three small bones located in close proximity. Behind them there are smooth articular surfaces, to which the scaphoid is adjacent, and in front of them are the metatarsal bones.

The structure of adult and children's metatarsal bones is the same; they are tubes located under a certain bend. It is due to this that, in fact, the formation of the arch occurs. At the ends there are articular surfaces, a tuberosity to which muscles and ligaments of the foot are attached.

The phalanges of the fingers include both the left and right feet; they are identical to those located on the hand. There are normally two phalanges on the first toe of the human foot, while others are represented by three.
The types of phalanges of the foot have special features, where they are thicker, in contrast to the hand, this is due to the fact that the human foot has a greater load. All phalanges are connected to one another through joints that provide flexibility to the fingers.

The normal anatomy of the foot includes the presence of sesamoid bones; in humans they are located in ligaments and look like small grains. The bones are located above the joints in humans and serve as additional levers. Both the right and left human feet have them, you need to know about their existence so as not to mistake them for a fracture.

Joints

It is not enough just to have bones; in order for them to move relative to each other, joints are needed. The foot has a number of joints that are made up of two or more bones. The largest joint is the ankle; three large bones take part in its formation. Due to the ankle, the foot can move as much as possible. The rest are joints of the foot that are less significant for function, but due to them, a person’s flexibility is constantly maintained.

The largest and most functional is the aforementioned ankle joint; it consists of two tibias and one talus. The tibia bones contain ankle bones; they, clasping the talus bone, participate in the formation of the ankle. They strengthen the formation of the ligament by positioning it on the sides. The joint capsule is attached along the edge of the cartilaginous surface to the bone.

The subtalar joint is a low-moving joint, but it is thanks to it that the heel and talus are connected. The ram and heel are connected to the boat, forming a joint. Ligaments pass through the cavity of the subtalar joint; they help fix the heel and talus.

The connection between the heel and the cuboid bone is called the joint of the same name. Together with the previous joint, it forms a practical formation on which surgery is performed in a person - the Chopart joint or the talonavicular joint. The gap of this joint has a bend, crosses the entire foot across, and amputation is performed on it if necessary. The joint is strengthened by ligaments, the main one being the bifurcated one. It originates from the heel bone, attaches to the cuboid, then to the scaphoid. It is also called the “Chopard joint key”, after the dissection is made, amputation can be performed at this level.

The joints of the sphenoid, and with it the scaphoid bone in humans, have minimal importance in the practice of a doctor. The joints of the tarsal and metatarsal bones occur due to inactive joints; they do not provide flexibility, but with their tense ligaments they participate in the formation of the arch. There are intermetatarsal joints between the metatarsal bones; they also do not matter. The metatarsophalangeal joints are important; most of the movements occur through them. All the formations described above have both the right and left human feet.

Ligamentous apparatus of the foot

The most important formation on the foot is the long or longitudinal ligament of the sole. It originates from the heel bone and goes to the very base of the metatarsals. Along the entire path, many fibers depart from the ligament, helping to strengthen the arch of the foot and maintain it in the correct position throughout life. There are other types of foot ligaments, they are small but necessary to strengthen the arch. Due to this, the foot is able to bear static and dynamic loads.

Muscles

Movement is provided by muscle contraction; they are located both in the lower leg, ankle, and foot. The left and right feet have the same number of muscles; a certain amount of movement is provided by the muscles of the lower leg.

The lower leg muscle group is represented by:

The anterior muscles, which include the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and thumb. The muscles of this group are involved in dorsiflexion (or extension) of the foot. They help bend the fingers, including the thumb.
The lateral or outer group includes the long and short peroneus muscles. They promote lateral flexion or pronation of the foot.
The posterior group area is represented by powerful muscles; this area includes more than one muscle layer. First of all, this is the triceps surae muscle, which includes the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. The plantaris muscle, the long flexor of the fingers, including the thumb, and the tibialis muscle are also located here. This group is responsible for plantar flexion, which is provided by the Achilles tendon. Thanks to these muscles, the fingers bend.

The left and right feet include their own muscles, represented by groups:

A separate group is represented by the dorsal muscles, which includes. It starts from the edge on the heel bone and facilitates the movement of all four fingers except the thumb.
A pair of small muscles also runs along the plantar surface, due to which flexion, abduction, and adduction of the fingers occur.

Vessels, nerves

The anterior and posterior tibial arteries are involved in the blood supply to the foot. In the area of the foot they continue with the dorsal artery, internal, external, and arteries of the sole. Due to these vessels, several arterial circles and connections are formed. A person needs this so that the blood flow does not stop if one area is damaged while standing.

The outflow of blood occurs through the veins of the same name; in the rear area they form a powerful plexus. From them, venous blood flows into the large and small saphenous veins of the leg.

Innervation comes from the central nervous system, it is provided by the posterior tibial nerve, superficial, deep peroneal nerve, and sural nerve. All of them contribute to the creation of a normal feeling of heat, cold, touch, pain, vibration, and the position of the foot in space. The impulse from them enters the spinal cord, where it is processed.

Also, along the nerves described above, impulses are transmitted from the central nervous system to the muscles. These reflexes can be voluntary in the form of muscle contraction or independent of the will of a person (in the form of changes in the tone of the vascular wall, the work of the sebaceous and sweat glands).

Everything on top is covered with skin, which has its own characteristics; on the foot it is very dense, thick on the heel. Its structure is the same as on the palm, only it is layered more often due to loads. The skin on the back is soft, elastic, and contains nerve endings.

In connection with the above, it becomes clear how complex and important an anatomical formation the foot is considered to be. Bones, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves are involved in its formation. All these formations are capable of withstanding the colossal loads that a person faces throughout his life. Due to such a complex structure, the foot has many diseases; they can be congenital or acquired. There are even more injuries, the treatment of which largely depends on knowledge of anatomy, as well as the relative position of individual structures.