Pelvis & lower limb · Foot
Tarsal bones
The seven tarsal bones form the back half of the foot: the talus and calcaneus behind, the navicular in the middle on the medial side, and the cuboid and three cuneiforms in the front row. The talus links the foot to the leg at the ankle joint, and the calcaneus forms the heel.
- Latin (TA)
- Ossa tarsi
- Type
- Short bones: roughly cube-shaped bones of spongy bone covered by a thin shell, built to carry and spread weight rather than to act as long levers
- Side
- Paired — right and left
- Model size
- 12.4 cm longest
Showing a right set. Rotate it to inspect every surface; switch sides to practise siding.
3D model: Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0), derived from BodyParts3D © DBCLS (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP). Adapted by PharmaWallah. Credits & licence
Landmarks
19 of 20 marked on the modelTap a landmark to find it on the bones and read what it is.
The rounded anterior end of the talus.
Where: At the front of the talus, pointing forwards and slightly medially.
Why it matters: Articulates with the navicular in front and is supported below by the plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament and the sustentaculum tali.
Related: Navicular, spring ligament.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The narrowed part between the head and the body.
Where: Behind the head, in front of the trochlea.
Why it matters: Much of the blood supply enters the talus around the neck (and the tarsal canal beneath it) and runs backwards into the body, so a displaced neck fracture can cause avascular necrosis of the body.
Viva: Why can a fracture of the neck of the talus lead to avascular necrosis?
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The main, cube-like part of the talus.
Where: Behind the neck, carrying the trochlea above and the facets for the calcaneus below.
Why it matters: Fits into the socket formed by the tibia and fibula at the ankle joint.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The pulley-shaped, cartilage-covered upper surface of the body, continuous with the malleolar facets on each side.
Where: On top of the body of the talus.
Why it matters: Articulates with the inferior articular surface of the tibia; it is wider in front than behind, so the ankle is most stable in dorsiflexion.
Related: Ankle joint.
Viva: Why is the ankle more stable in dorsiflexion than in plantarflexion?
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A large triangular articular facet on the lateral side of the body.
Where: On the lateral surface of the talus, below the trochlea.
Why it matters: Articulates with the lateral malleolus of the fibula; being large and triangular, it is the main guide to siding the talus.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A small comma-shaped articular facet on the medial side of the body.
Where: On the upper part of the medial surface of the talus.
Why it matters: Articulates with the medial malleolus of the tibia.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A groove on the back of the talus between the two tubercles of the posterior process.
Where: On the posterior process of the talus.
Why it matters: The tendon of flexor hallucis longus runs in it, continuing below the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The large, rough posterior part of the calcaneus.
Where: At the back of the calcaneus, forming the heel.
Why it matters: The calcaneal (Achilles) tendon inserts into the middle part of its posterior surface; it takes weight in standing.
Related: Calcaneal tendon (gastrocnemius and soleus), plantaris.
Viva: Where does the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon insert?
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A shelf of bone projecting medially from the calcaneus.
Where: On the upper medial side of the calcaneus, below the medial malleolus.
Why it matters: Supports the neck and head of the talus (its upper surface carries the middle talar facet); it is medial, so it is the key to siding the calcaneus.
Related: Spring ligament, deltoid ligament, flexor hallucis longus.
Viva: Which tendon runs beneath the sustentaculum tali?
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A tunnel between the talus and calcaneus, formed by the talar sulcus above and the calcaneal sulcus below.
Where: Between the two bones, opening on the lateral side of the foot in front of the lateral malleolus.
Why it matters: Contains the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament, which separates the subtalar joint behind from the talocalcaneonavicular joint in front.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
A groove across the plantar surface of the cuboid.
Where: On the underside of the cuboid, in front of its tuberosity, running forwards and medially.
Why it matters: Carries the tendon of fibularis longus across the sole towards the medial cuneiform and the first metatarsal.
Related: Fibularis longus.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
Classification & region
Short bones: roughly cube-shaped bones of spongy bone covered by a thin shell, built to carry and spread weight rather than to act as long levers.
- Talus
- The uppermost tarsal bone, between the leg bones and the calcaneus. It has a head, neck and body, carries the trochlea for the ankle joint, and has no muscle attachments.
- Calcaneus
- The largest tarsal bone, forming the heel. The calcaneal tuberosity behind takes the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon; the sustentaculum tali is a shelf on its medial side that supports the talus.
- Navicular bone
- A boat-shaped bone on the medial side of the foot, between the head of the talus and the three cuneiforms; its tuberosity is felt on the medial border of the foot.
- Cuboid bone
- The lateral bone of the distal row, in front of the calcaneus and behind the fourth and fifth metatarsals; a groove under it carries the fibularis longus tendon.
- Medial cuneiform bone
- The largest cuneiform, between the navicular and the base of the first metatarsal.
- Intermediate cuneiform bone
- The smallest cuneiform, between the navicular and the base of the second metatarsal.
- Lateral cuneiform bone
- Between the navicular, the cuboid and the base of the third metatarsal.
Hold it in the anatomical position
- Arrange them as in the foot: talus on top of the calcaneus at the back, the head of the talus pointing forwards into the navicular.
- In front of the navicular lie the three cuneiforms (medial, intermediate, lateral from the big-toe side); the cuboid lies lateral to them, directly in front of the calcaneus.
- The talus sits with its trochlea upwards, under the tibia; the calcaneal tuberosity points backwards to form the heel.
Right or left? Side determination
- Talus: put the trochlea (the pulley-shaped upper surface) upwards and the rounded head pointing forwards, away from you, as in your own foot.
- Talus: the large triangular facet for the lateral malleolus is on the lateral side; the small comma-shaped facet for the medial malleolus is on the medial side. Large triangular facet on your right means a right talus.
- Calcaneus: put the rough calcaneal tuberosity backwards, towards you, and the flat cuboid facet forwards, with the articular facets for the talus on top.
- Calcaneus: the sustentaculum tali is the shelf on the medial side. Held this way, a sustentaculum on your left means a right calcaneus.
- Navicular: its tuberosity is medial and its concave surface faces backwards for the head of the talus; the three cuneiform facets face forwards.
- Cuboid: the groove for fibularis longus is on the plantar (under) surface and runs forwards and medially from the lateral border.
The talus and calcaneus can be sided reliably on their own. The navicular and cuboid can be sided with care; the isolated cuneiforms are hard to side without their neighbours, so in practicals they are usually identified rather than sided.
Check yourself: switch the 3D model to “Left bone” and apply the same steps.
Articulations
- With the tibia and fibula at the Ankle (talocrural) joint — Talus: trochlea and the medial and lateral malleolar facets.
- With the calcaneus (from the talus) at the Subtalar (talocalcaneal) joint — Talus: posterior calcaneal articular facet; calcaneus: posterior talar facet.
- With the calcaneus and navicular (from the talus) at the Talocalcaneonavicular joint (medial part of the transverse tarsal joint) — Head of the talus, with the spring ligament.
- With the cuboid (from the calcaneus) at the Calcaneocuboid joint (lateral part of the transverse tarsal joint) — Articular surface for the cuboid on the calcaneus.
- With the metatarsals at the Tarsometatarsal joints — Anterior surfaces of the three cuneiforms and the cuboid.
Muscle and ligament attachments
| Structure | Type | Where on the bone |
|---|---|---|
| Calcaneal (Achilles) tendon: gastrocnemius and soleus | insertion | Middle of the posterior surface of the calcaneal tuberosity |
| Plantaris | insertion | Calcaneal tuberosity, with or beside the calcaneal tendon |
| Tibialis posterior | insertion | Tuberosity of the navicular (main insertion), with slips to other tarsal bones |
| Tibialis anterior | insertion | Medial and plantar surface of the medial cuneiform (and base of the first metatarsal) |
| Fibularis longus | insertion | Lateral side of the medial cuneiform (and base of the first metatarsal) |
| Abductor hallucis and flexor digitorum brevis | origin | Medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity |
| Abductor digiti minimi | origin | Medial and lateral processes of the calcaneal tuberosity |
| Quadratus plantae | origin | Plantar surface of the calcaneus |
| Extensor digitorum brevis | origin | Upper lateral surface of the calcaneus, near the tarsal sinus |
| Plantar aponeurosis | other | Medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity |
| Plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament | ligament | Sustentaculum tali to the navicular |
| Long plantar ligament | ligament | Plantar surface of the calcaneus to the cuboid (and bases of the lateral metatarsals) |
| Bifurcate ligament | ligament | Anterior process of the calcaneus to the cuboid and navicular |
| Calcaneofibular ligament | ligament | Lateral surface of the calcaneus |
| Anterior and posterior talofibular ligaments | ligament | Neck and posterior process (lateral tubercle) of the talus |
| Deltoid (medial) ligament | ligament | Talus, sustentaculum tali and navicular |
| Interosseous talocalcaneal ligament | ligament | In the tarsal sinus, between the talus and calcaneus |
Functions
- Transmit body weight from the leg to the ground: through the talus to the heel (calcaneus) and forwards to the metatarsal heads.
- Form the back of the longitudinal arches and the transverse arch of the foot.
- Allow inversion and eversion of the foot at the subtalar and transverse tarsal joints.
- The talus links the foot to the leg at the ankle joint, allowing dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.
Clinical & practical relevance
- A displaced fracture of the neck of the talus can cut off the blood supply to the body and cause avascular necrosis.
- Calcaneal fractures usually follow a fall from a height onto the heels; the same force can also fracture the vertebrae, so the spine should be checked.
- Plantar fasciitis causes heel pain at the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity, where the plantar aponeurosis attaches.
- Rupture of the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon occurs just above its insertion into the calcaneal tuberosity and stops effective push-off.
- The tuberosity of the navicular is a palpable landmark on the medial border of the foot; tibialis posterior inserts into it and supports the medial arch.
Identification tips
- Order from the heel: talus on the calcaneus; navicular in front of the talus; three cuneiforms in front of the navicular; cuboid in front of the calcaneus.
- Talus = 'no muscles, all joints'; calcaneus = 'heel, Achilles, sustentaculum medial'.
- The lateral malleolar facet of the talus is bigger than the medial one, just as the lateral malleolus reaches lower.
- FHL grooves the back of the talus and then the underside of the sustentaculum tali.
Common student mistakes
- Saying a muscle attaches to the talus: none does.
- Putting the sustentaculum tali on the lateral side: it is medial.
- Confusing the navicular (foot) with the scaphoid (hand, once also called navicular).
- Placing the cuboid in front of the navicular: it is in front of the calcaneus, on the lateral side.
- Thinking the calcaneus articulates with the tibia or fibula: only the talus enters the ankle joint.
Common exam questions
Name the tarsal bones.Show answer
Talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, and the medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiforms.
How do you determine the side of a talus?Show answer
Trochlea up, head forwards; the large triangular lateral malleolar facet is on the lateral side.
How do you determine the side of a calcaneus?Show answer
Tuberosity backwards, cuboid facet forwards, talar facets upwards; the sustentaculum tali is on the medial side.
Why does the talus have no muscle attachments, and why is that clinically relevant?Show answer
Most of its surface is articular; its blood supply enters through small non-articular areas, especially the neck, so fractures there risk avascular necrosis.
What is the sustentaculum tali, and what is related to it?Show answer
A medial shelf of the calcaneus supporting the talus; FHL runs beneath it, and the spring and deltoid ligaments attach to it.
Where does tibialis posterior insert?Show answer
Mainly into the tuberosity of the navicular, with slips to other tarsal bones.
What is the tarsal sinus and what does it contain?Show answer
A tunnel between the talus and calcaneus formed by their sulci; it contains the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament.
Why is the ankle more stable in dorsiflexion?Show answer
The trochlea of the talus is wider in front and is gripped between the malleoli in dorsiflexion.
Revision summary
- Seven tarsals: talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, three cuneiforms.
- Talus: head, neck, body; trochlea above for the tibia; no muscle attachments.
- Side the talus by the large triangular lateral malleolar facet.
- Calcaneus: largest; tuberosity takes the Achilles tendon; sustentaculum tali medial (FHL beneath).
- Navicular tuberosity: tibialis posterior. Cuboid groove: fibularis longus.
- Talus neck fracture risks avascular necrosis of the body.
Test yourself on the tarsal bones
Spotting questions on bones, sides and landmarks — untimed, with explanations.
Joints of the tarsal bones
References
- Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. Gray's Anatomy for Students. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2023.
- Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2023.
- Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT). Terminologia Anatomica. 2nd ed. FIPAT.library.dal.ca; 2019. fipat.library.dal.ca/TA2
- Kervyn G, Zielinski M, Vinent L, et al. Z-Anatomy: the libre 3D atlas of anatomy. Models derived from BodyParts3D, The Database Center for Life Science (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP). CC BY-SA 4.0. www.z-anatomy.com/
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