Anatomy Lesson

The human foot is pretty complex, and it can be difficult to visualize how every part fits together. But, I think it’s important to understand the anatomy of your foot, so that you have a better understanding of what tarsal coalition is and why it hurts.

This is not a complete anatomy, and I’ve simplified the language a bit to help you (and me) better understand what’s going on.


Your lower leg is made up of two bones. Your tibia (shin bone) and your fibula. Your outer ankle bone is actually the bottom of your fibula. Your inner ankle bone is the bottom of your tibia. These two bones rest atop the talus. The talus sits atop the calcaneous (heel bone). These two bones together make up your hind foot.

As we move forward from the hind foot we see the next two bones. The talus touches the navicular. The calcaneous (which sits just below and to the outside of the talus) touches the cuboid.

From the navicular we find three more bones called the cuneiforms.

The medial cuneiform (on the inside of your foot) serves as the base for the metatarsal that connects with the big toe. (The metatarsal are the bones of the foot which are kind of like the bones in the palm of your hand).

The intermediate cuneiform serves as the base for the metatarsal that connects with second toe.

The lateral cuneiform serves as the base for the metatarsal that connects with third toe.

The cuboid (which touches the calcaneous) serves as the base for the metatarsals that connects with fourth and fifth (pinky) toe.

These five bones (navicular, cuboid, and medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiforms) make up your mid foot.

There are five metatarsals which connect to one of your five toes. These and your toe bones make up your fore foot.