structure of foot (Foot anatomy)

                                 structure of foot 

The human foot is a combined structure of base and lever, supporting and balancing the

body‘s weight while standing, as well as raising and moving the body forward when in
motion. Our feet work for us the whole day, whether we stand, play, run, or walk and in
the process they become the most affected part of our anatomy. Foot Anatomy is the
science, which studies the structure of the feet and the interrelations of its parts. The
important structures of the foot can be divided into several categories.

These include:

a. Bones and joints
b. Ligaments and tendons
c. Muscles
d. Nerves
e. Blood vessels

All of these components work together in union to provide the body with support,
balance and mobility. A structural flaw and malfunction in any one part can result in the
development of problems elsewhere in the body. Conversely, abnormalities in other
parts of the ultimately can lead to problems in the feet.

1. Bones and parts of the foot

The foot is made up of 26 skeletal bones held together by muscles, ligaments and 

tendons. These 26 bones are divided into three groups . These are:Tarsus:

 a.The tarsus is the group at the back of the foot and has seven irregularly 

shaped short bones.

b. Metatarsus: The Metatarsus group consists of five metatarsals (long bones). It is 

slender bones located in the front of the instep.

c. Phalanges: The phalanges are consisting of the fourteen long bones forming the 

toes

Structurally, the foot has three main parts; the forefoot, the mid foot, and the hind 

foot.

1. The forefoot: - is composed of the five toes, collectively called Phalanges, and their 

connecting long bones, the metatarsals.

2. The mid foot: - featuring five irregularly shaped tarsal bones (the navicular, cuboid, 

and three cuneiform). It forms the foot‘s characteristic arch and serves as a shock 

absorber.

3. The hind foot: - The talus and the calcaneus make up the hind foot. The calcaneus is 

the largest tarsal bones.

.
Muscles and tendons:

Muscles of the foot and leg balance the body and control the levers. The muscles in the 

leg provide power for the foot and those in the foot itself are used mainly for balance 

and direction. There are some 20 muscles in the foot. They give the foot its shape by 

holding the bones in position, and expand and control to impart movement to the bones 

and joints. One of the muscles is connected to a bone but at the other end the sheath is 

extended and becomes a tough non-elastic cord called a tendon. This tendon then 

transfers the power of the muscle to the joint on another bone where it is to be applied. 

Tendons are strong inelastic ―ropes‖ which attach the muscles to the bones. They keep 

the dynamic balance and shape of the foot. Tendons are very similar to ligaments the 

difference is that tendons attach muscles to bones, whereas ligaments attach bones to 

bones. Like ligaments tendons are also made up of small fibers of a material called 

Collagen.

 There are four groups of muscles in the leg that act on the foot.

1. The front group. Four muscles in front of and between the tibia and fibula whose 

tendons pass in front of the ankle joint. They raise the foot, turn the sole in and out and 

extend the toes up.

2. The outside group. Two muscles, which join the fibula. The tendons pass behind the 

ankle joint so they bend the foot down and turn the foot out.

3. The surface back group (the calf). One muscle joined to the thigh bone (femur) and 

the other to the tibia and fibula. They pass, via the Achilles tendon, over the back of the 

ankle and bend the foot down.

4. The deep back group. Four muscles under the calf whose tendons pass behind the 

ankle to flex the toe down and turn the foot.

.2 Ligaments:

Ligaments are the soft fibrous tissues that attach bones. They stabilize the joints. The 

longest of these, plantar fascia, forms the arch on the sole of the foot from the heel to 

the toes. By stretching and contracting, it allows the arch to curve or flatten, providing 

balance and giving the foot strength to push off and initiate the act of walking. Medial 

ligaments on the inside and lateral ligaments on the inside and lateral ligaments on 

outside of the foot provide stability and enable the foot to move up and down. The foot 

has 109 ligaments that serve as hinges to keep the bones and joints together. They are 

bands of ―ropes‖. They are fibrous and strong but less elastic than muscles. Ligaments 

hold the bones together, particularly those of the arch by keeping it in a firm, unyielding 

curve when weight is placed upon it. They maintain the static form of the foot.

Joints:

The main joints of the foot are:

1. Ankle Joint-Hinge: The bases of the two bones together from a socket into which 

the talus fits-thus forming the ankle joint.

2. Sub Tales Joint: Gliding: Talus glides on the calcaneus.

3. Mid Tarsal Joint: Gliding and ball and socket: Cuboid glides against the calcaneus.

Arches of the foot:

The human foot is an incredibly complex mechanism that has two very important 

functions:

1. Weight bearing

2. Propulsion (movement)

In order to perform these functions, the foot requires a high degree of stability as well as 

flexibility. The multiple bones and joints of the foot give it the necessary flexibility, but in 

order to fully support any weight, the bones of the foot need to form an arch. The foot 

has three distinct arches. Two "longitudinal" arches (one on each side) run from front to 

back; one "transverse arch" runs across the mid foot from inside to outside.

The arches of the foot are formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones and, 

strengthened by ligaments and tendons, allows the foot to support the weight of the body