Foot bones
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Anatomy
The foot is the lower part of the leg.
The bony structure consists of a total of 26 bones, so almost 25% of all bones are in the foot.
The connection to the lower leg (fibula and shin) is made by the ankle joint. The upper side of the foot (Dorsum pedis) is called the back of the foot, the lower side is called the sole of the foot (Planta pedis).
Divisions of the foot skeleton
The classification of the foot bones is done anatomically and functionally. Anatomically it is divided into antetarsus, metatarsus and tarsus. Functionally, a distinction is made between forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot. The 14 toe bones form both the antetarsus and the forefoot. The metatarsus consists of the 5 metatarsal bones and the tarsus of the 7 tarsal bones. The hindfoot, on the other hand, is formed only by the heel and anklebone. The remaining tarsal bones and the metatarsal bones are counted to the midfoot.
Function and tasks
The foot (Pes) has a particularly heavy task: it carries the entire body weight when walking and standing. It is one of the lower free limbs.
Muscles enable the movements of the foot. These include the short foot muscles and the long lower leg muscles. The muscles are also responsible for tensing the arch of the foot. The arch of the foot (longitudinal and transverse arch) allows body weight to be cushioned.
