The feet are made up of a range of tissues and cell types that work together to allow for stability, balance and locomotion. Each foot contains an ankle, an instep and a set of toes, which collectively contain over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, according to the Podiatry Channel. These tissues connect to 26 bones that form 33 joints, all of which are surrounded by blood vessels, nerves, connective tissue and skin. There are a number of specialized bone types within the foot that allow for structural support and movement.
Tarsals
The tarsal bones are a group of seven bones that make up the ankle and the base of the foot near the ankle. The seven tarsal bones are the cuboid, navicular, calcaneus, talus and lateral, intermediate and medial cuneiform. The talus interacts with bones in the skin to allow movement at the ankle joint, while the other bones within the ankle provide stability and structural support. Fracture to the tarsals, especially the talus, can prove an extensive injury, causing pain, swelling and difficulty walking.
Metatarsals
The bones that support the instep of the foot are called the metatarsals. They connect the tarsals in the ankle to the bones within the toes. Each foot contains five metatarsal bones that each contain a base, body and head. The base of the metatarsals connects to the tarsal bones and helps accommodate ankle movement, while the body of each metatarsal provides structural support for the foot and supports the instep. The head of each metatarsal is rounded and forms a joint with the corresponding bones within each toe. The metatarsals are numbered one through five, with the first metatarsal connecting to the bones in the big toe and the fifth metatarsal connecting to the bones in the little toe.
Phalanges
The smallest bones within the foot are the phalanges, the bones that help make up the toes. Most toes have three phalanges: the distal phalange, medial phalange and proximal phalange, which forms a joint with the corresponding metatarsal. The big toe has only two phalanges, called the distal and proximal phalanges. Toe fractures--fractures of one or more of the phalanges--are very common, accounting for around 9 percent of total bone fractures, reports Dr. J. Gravlee, writing for UpToDate for Patients. If left untreated, the toe fracture can cause pain and lead to difficulty walking, and the treatment for toe fractures is generally simple and straightforward.
