Parts of the Foot - Bones, Joints, Arches and Components

Getting to Know the Different Parts of Your Feet

The human foot is an intricate structure containing 26 bones, 33 joints, over 100 muscles, tendons, ligaments, and a network of blood vessels, nerves, and soft tissue. Each individual component working together enables you to walk, run, jump, balance, and stand upright all day without issue under normal circumstances.

When one part becomes afflicted with an injury or condition like arthritis, it impacts how you move and function. Understanding the anatomy of the foot helps you better recognize where foot pain stems from so you can pinpoint solutions.

Bones of the Foot

There are 26 foot bones altogether which provide form, support, stability and flexibility with every step you take. The bones include:

• Phalanges - 14 toe bones
• Metatarsals - 5 elongated bones
• Cuboid - 1 cube-shaped bone on outer midfoot
• Navicular - 1 boat-shaped bone on medial midfoot
• Cuneiforms - 3 wedge-shaped bones
• Talus - Connects leg and foot bones
• Calcaneus - Heel bone

Key Joints

Joints connect the foots bones, allowing flexibility and mobility. Main joints include:

• Ankle - Talus and lower leg bones
• Subtalar - Talus and calcaneus
• Tarsal- Midfoot bones
• Metatarsophalangeal - Ball of foot
• Interphalangeal - Toes

Arches of the Feet

The foot forms arches from the heel to ball-of-foot which support your body weight. These include:

• Medial Longitudinal Arch - Inner foot arch
• Lateral Longitudinal Arch- Outer foot arch
• Transverse Arch - Formed by metatarsals

These foot arches dissolve pressure across the whole sole rather than just the heel and ball reducing strain and inflammation risks.

Muscles and Ligaments

Muscles, tendons and ligaments hold all the foot and ankle bones/joints together in proper alignment while permitting movement. Key structures are:

• Peroneus longus and brevis - Outer ankle stabilization
• Anterior tibialis - Allows lifting toes
• Posterior tibialis- Supports medial arch
• Achilles tendon - Connects calf muscles to heel
• Plantar fascia - Supports foot arches

These keep the foot and ankle stable as you walk, run or jump, preventing over-extension and soft tissue strains.

Nerves and Blood Vessels

An intricate network of nerves, arteries and veins run along the foot and ankles as well transporting sensations, signals, blood and nutrients key for healthy tissue function and regeneration.

Common Foot Problems Affecting Different Areas

When any part of this highly complex foot structure gets injured or diseased, pain and mobility issues result. Some common foot problems according to anatomical location include:

Heel Issues

• Plantar fasciitis - Heel/arch inflammation
• Heel spurs - Calcium deposits on the heel bone
• Heel bruises - Fat pad contusions/tears
• Achilles tendonitis- Swelling of the Achilles tendon

Ankle Problems

• Sprains - Stretching or tears of ligaments
• Fractures - Broken ankle bones
• Arthritis - Cartilage deterioration in joints

Midfoot Issues

• Flat feet - Fallen arches
• Foot corns - Thickened skin from pressure/friction
• Edema - Fluid retention causing swelling

Ball-of-Foot Problems

• Metatarsalgia - Pain/inflammation in metatarsal area
• Sesamoiditis - Irritation of sesamoid bones behind toes
• Stress fractures - Tiny cracks in foot bones
• Bunions - Bony bumps at base of big toe

Toe Issues

• Hammertoes - Curled under toes
• Mallet toes - Drooped toe knuckles
• Overlapping toes - Crossed toes
• Ingrown toenails - Nails growing into skin
• Corns/calluses - Thick, hardened skin

Knowing which parts make up your feet helps better pinpoint solutions when foot pain flares up. You can then target specific rehab, padding, orthotics or medication to treat the problematic anatomical structures causing discomfort.

Main Functions of the Foot

This complex network of bones, joints, arches, muscles, tendons and ligaments all work synergistically to perform a few key functions that keep you mobile.

Propulsion

Feet act as the propulsive base whenever you walk, run or jump. Powerful leg tendons like the Achilles store and release kinetic energy with each step you take, propelling your body forward or upwards seamlessly.

Support

The foot bones and arches form a stable yet dynamic platform to support and balance your entire body weight all day whether stationary or active. The numerous joints distribute body mass evenly across the soles.

Adaptation

The combination of rigid bone alignment yet mobile joints allows your feet to adapt and contour to uneven terrain. Thispermits walking, running and balancing no matter the surface thanks to multiple midfoot/ankle joints.

Shock Absorption

Joints, cartilage and fat pads throughout the foot soften impact with every step, preventing excessive jolting forces from traveling further up the skeletal system to avoid micro fractures long-term.

Understanding what key roles your feet must perform daily allows crafting treatment plans that restore normal motion and strength when injury or overuse takes its toll.

Major Conditions Affecting Overall Foot Health

Some systemic medical conditions wreak havoc on the intricate structures comprising your feet. Three prime examples are:

Diabetes

Chronically high blood sugar levels damage peripheral nerves and small blood vessels over time. This diminishes sensation while slowing nutrient/oxygen delivery and waste removal abilities.

Nerve damage (neuropathy) causes numbness, making injuries and ulcers more likely to form undetected on the feet. Poor circulation slows healing once foot wounds develop in diabetic patients.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis erodes protective cartilage padding joint surfaces while rheumatoid arthritis sparks painful inflammation attacking multiple joints at once.

Both steadily reduce mobility, stability and shock absorption capacities of foot and ankle joints leading to compensatory misalignments and pain.

Obesity

Carrying excessive body weight strains the feet beyond normal capacities since they werent designed to support such heavy loads long term.

Extra pounds also increase inflammation while accelerating cartilage degeneration which speedsDisablement. Custom orthotics provide arch support while padded walking shoes cushion and stabilize feet when obesity is causing chronic discomfort.

Treating the root condition helps alleviate secondary foot pain and mobility limitations stemming from systemic disease progression or high body weight.

When to See a Podiatrist

Consult a podiatrist promptly if you experience:

• Persistent or worsening foot pain
• Joint swelling/redness
• Numbness, tingling or burning
• Leg cramping
• Skin changes like discolored nails or temperature shifts
• Limping, changes in gait
• Foot fatigue, weakness

A podiatrist conducts specialized testing to pinpoint the anatomical cause behind your symptoms so appropriate treatment can begin swiftly. Custom orthotics, surgery, physical therapy or injections may be warranted depending on examination and diagnostic findings.

Understanding basic foot anatomy empowers recognizing problematic symptoms early to restore normal foot biomechanics essential for pain-free walking.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.