How many tarsal bones are normally in a foot?

How many tarsal bones are normally in a foot?

• A. 3
• B. 5
• C. 7
• D. 9

Answer: (C)

The number of tarsal bones in a normal foot is seven. These bones form the ankle and midfoot and include the calcaneus (heel), talus (ankle bone), navicular, cuboid, and the three cuneiforms (medial, intermediate, lateral). The seven tarsals sit behind the five metatarsals of the forefoot and in front of the phalanges. Metatarsals and toes are not counted as tarsals, so counts of three, five, or nine don’t fit the standard arrangement. In some rare cases, accessory bones can slightly alter the count, but seven is the normal number.

The number of tarsal bones in a normal foot is seven. These bones form the ankle and midfoot and include the calcaneus (heel), talus (ankle bone), navicular, cuboid, and the three cuneiforms (medial, intermediate, lateral). The seven tarsals sit behind the five metatarsals of the forefoot and in front of the phalanges. Metatarsals and toes are not counted as tarsals, so counts of three, five, or nine don’t fit the standard arrangement. In some rare cases, accessory bones can slightly alter the count, but seven is the normal number.