The 26 foot bones provide scaffolding and architecture to support the weight of the human body. According to "Grant's Atlas of Anatomy," the foot divides into three sections: anterior, middle and posterior. The anterior section consists of 19 bones: five metatarsal bones, five proximal phalanges, four middle phalanges and five distal phalanges. The middle section consists of five small tarsal bones: three cuneiform bones---the medial, middle and lateral; the navicular bone; and the cuboid bone. The posterior section consists of two large tarsal bones: the talus and the calcaneus.
Anterior Section
According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," monosodium urate gout arthritis usually affects only one joint initially, namely the metatarsalphalangeal joint of the great toe in the anterior section, but tarsal joints, ankles, knees and even hands can develop gout. Polyarticular gout can occur in alcohol abusers and postmenopausal women.
Middle Section
Near the tarsals, the five small bones that bridge the metatarsals and the ankle, runs a passage called the tarsal tunnel through which the posterior tibial nerve travels. When this area becomes inflamed, burning pain radiates into the arch of the foot, heel and toes.
Posterior Section
According to MayoClinic.com, plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the thick band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, commonly causes heel pain in runners, obese people and people who wear shoes with inadequate support.
According to SportsInjuryClinic.net, the calcaneus, or heel bone can develop a stress fracture from overuse; for example, soldiers sustain this injury from constant marching.
The talus bone sits at the top of the ankle and connects to the tibia, or shin bone. Stress fractures of the talus occur in athletes participating in football and track and field, according to SportsInjuryClinic.net.
Bursitis, or inflammation of the sacs that act as cushions between tendons and bones, can occur in front of the Achilles' tendon.
References
- "Grant's Atlas of Anatomy"; J.C. Boileau Grant; 1972
- Mayo Clinic: Plantar Fasciitis
- Sports Injury Clinic: Stress Fracture of the Talus/Talar Stress Fracture
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Dennis Kasper, M.D.; 2005
