Bones of the feet (Ossa pedis)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
Each foot has 26 bones: 7 tarsals (the heel is the largest), 5 metatarsals and 14 phalanges; the arches act as shock absorbers in walking and running. This model merges both foot skeletons.
Clinical notes
Metatarsal stress fractures are common in runners and soldiers after a sudden increase in marching; arch collapse (flat foot) causes diffuse fatigue and pain.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Bones of the feet?
Each foot has 26 bones: 7 tarsals (the heel is the largest), 5 metatarsals and 14 phalanges; the arches act as shock absorbers in walking and running. This model merges both foot skeletons.
Why is the Bones of the feet clinically important?
Metatarsal stress fractures are common in runners and soldiers after a sudden increase in marching; arch collapse (flat foot) causes diffuse fatigue and pain.
Source & license
Derived from Z-Anatomy (Gauthier Kervyn et al.), CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/); upstream geometry from BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science. license details