Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google

Foot and Ankle Anatomy Quiz: Can You Name Every Bone?

Think you can ace our tarsal bones quiz? Challenge yourself now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of foot bones including tarsals and metatarsals on teal background for anatomy quiz

This bones of the foot quiz helps you identify and name each bone - tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges - by shape and position. Use it to practice for lab, check gaps before an exam, or warm up before clinic. When you finish, try the full foot anatomy practice set to keep learning.

How many tarsal bones are in one human foot?
Eight
Five
Six
Seven
There are seven tarsal bones in a single foot, forming the posterior part of the foot skeleton. These bones include the talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiforms. They provide stability and articulation for foot movements.
Which bone forms the heel of the foot?
Talus
Navicular
Cuboid
Calcaneus
The calcaneus is the largest tarsal bone and forms the heel. It transmits weight from the talus to the ground and serves as the attachment site for the Achilles tendon. Its strong structure is crucial for standing and locomotion.
The talus articulates superiorly with which bone of the lower leg?
Femur
Tibia
Fibula
Patella
The talus sits directly beneath the tibia, forming the primary tibio-talar (ankle) joint that bears most of the body's weight. The fibula also contributes to the ankle mortise but the main weight-bearing articulation is between the talus and tibia. This joint allows dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot.
The navicular bone is located in which region of the foot?
Ankle
Hindfoot
Midfoot
Forefoot
The navicular is one of the midfoot bones situated between the talus and the three cuneiforms. It helps form the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. Its name reflects its boat-like shape.
Which bone lies immediately lateral to the cuboid?
Medial cuneiform
5th metatarsal
Talus
Navicular
The 5th metatarsal articulates with the cuboid on its lateral side. This connection is part of the forefoot and contributes to the lateral longitudinal arch. The cuboid sits between the calcaneus and the 4th and 5th metatarsals.
How many metatarsal bones are present in the human foot?
Four
Six
Seven
Five
There are five metatarsal bones numbered one through five, beginning medially at the hallux. They connect the tarsal bones to the phalanges and form the metatarsal arches. These bones play key roles in weight distribution and propulsion during gait.
Which cuneiform articulates with the first metatarsal?
Intermediate cuneiform
Medial cuneiform
Lateral cuneiform
Cuboid
The medial cuneiform sits between the navicular and the first metatarsal. It is the largest of the three cuneiforms and helps form the medial longitudinal arch. Its articulation with the first metatarsal is critical for big-toe movement.
Sesamoid bones are most commonly found under which metatarsal head?
First metatarsal head
Fifth metatarsal head
Second metatarsal head
Third metatarsal head
Two sesamoid bones typically lie under the head of the first metatarsal, embedded within the tendon of flexor hallucis brevis. They help reduce pressure on the tendon and assist in weight bearing during toe-off. Sesamoids also act as pulleys for tendons.
Which tarsal bone contains the sustentaculum tali?
Calcaneus
Cuboid
Talus
Navicular
The sustentaculum tali is a medial shelf on the superior aspect of the calcaneus. It supports the talus and forms a pulley for the flexor hallucis longus tendon. This structure is key in maintaining the medial longitudinal arch.
The groove for the tendon of the fibularis longus is found on which bone?
Talus
Calcaneus
Cuboid
Navicular
The cuboid has a prominent groove on its plantar surface that guides the fibularis longus tendon as it crosses the sole of the foot. This feature is crucial for the lateral stability and arch support of the foot.
The plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament primarily supports which arch?
Medial longitudinal arch
Transverse arch
Dorsal arch
Lateral longitudinal arch
The spring ligament stretches from the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus to the navicular tuberosity, supporting the head of the talus. It is the main passive support of the medial longitudinal arch. Without it, this arch would collapse.
Which tarsal bone articulates with the fourth metatarsal?
Cuboid
Lateral cuneiform
Intermediate cuneiform
Navicular
The cuboid is located laterally in the distal row of tarsals and articulates with the fourth and fifth metatarsals. It forms part of the lateral longitudinal arch. Its shape helps in weight transfer and stability.
The sinus tarsi is the space between which two bones?
Calcaneus and cuboid
Talus and navicular
Talus and calcaneus
Navicular and cuneiform
The sinus tarsi is a funnel-shaped cavity on the lateral side of the foot between the talus and calcaneus. It contains ligaments and neurovascular structures important for subtalar joint stability. Clinically it is a landmark for injections and palpation.
The plantar aponeurosis attaches primarily to which bone?
Talus
Navicular
Cuboid
Calcaneus
The plantar aponeurosis (fascia) originates from the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity and fans forward to insert on the proximal phalanges. It supports the arches and absorbs shock during gait.
The subtalar joint is formed between which two bones?
Talus and navicular
Calcaneus and cuboid
Navicular and cuboid
Talus and calcaneus
The subtalar (talocalcaneal) joint is the articulation between the inferior surface of the talus and the superior surface of the calcaneus. It allows inversion and eversion of the foot. This joint is essential for adapting to uneven terrain.
Which tarsal bone articulates with all three cuneiform bones?
Talus
Calcaneus
Navicular
Cuboid
The navicular bone sits medially in the midfoot and forms articulations with the talus proximally and all three cuneiforms distally. It helps transmit forces between the hindfoot and forefoot.
At birth, which tarsal bone is already ossified?
Talus
Calcaneus
Navicular
Cuboid
The calcaneus is the first tarsal bone to ossify, beginning during the 16th fetal week. Most other tarsal bones ossify postnatally. Early ossification of the calcaneus is essential for prenatal foot development.
An accessory bone located posterior to the talus due to an unfused ossification center is called:
Os naviculare
Os peroneum
Os tibiale externum
Os trigonum
The os trigonum is an accessory ossicle that arises from the lateral posterior process of the talus when the secondary ossification center fails to fuse. It can cause posterior ankle impingement in some athletes.
Intercuneiform joints mainly contribute to which function of the foot?
Shock absorption
Weight-bearing in toe-off
Eversion of the hindfoot
Dorsiflexion beyond 20°
The small gliding motions at the intercuneiform joints allow the transverse arch to adapt and absorb shock during gait. This flexibility helps distribute loads evenly across the forefoot.
Which arterial branch primarily supplies the medial plantar aspect of the foot?
Lateral plantar artery
Fibular artery
Medial plantar artery
Dorsalis pedis artery
The medial plantar artery, a branch of the posterior tibial artery, supplies the medial aspect of the sole and the plantar muscles. It travels alongside the medial plantar nerve. Its branches nourish the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles.
The groove that serves as a pulley for the flexor hallucis longus tendon is located on which structure?
Sustentaculum tali of calcaneus
Trochlea of cuboid
Tuberosity of navicular
Groove on talar neck
The sustentaculum tali on the medial calcaneus forms a bony pulley for the flexor hallucis longus tendon, which passes beneath it en route to the big toe. This structure increases the mechanical efficiency of the tendon.
The keystone of the foot's transverse arch is which bone?
Navicular
Lateral cuneiform
Cuboid
Intermediate cuneiform
The intermediate cuneiform, due to its wedge shape and position, locks the transverse arch in place between the medial and lateral cuneiforms. It resists flattening during weight-bearing.
Which ligament is most important for maintaining the lateral longitudinal arch?
Short plantar ligament
Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament
Long plantar ligament
Deltoid ligament
The long plantar ligament extends from the calcaneus to the bases of the second through fifth metatarsals. It is the longest plantar ligament and supports the lateral longitudinal arch. Damage to it can lead to arch collapse.
The primary blood supply to the talar head comes from which arterial branch?
Lateral plantar artery
Perforating peroneal artery
Dorsalis pedis artery
Posterior tibial artery
The talar head is mainly supplied by the artery of the sinus tarsi, a branch of the dorsalis pedis artery. Disruption of this blood flow during injury can predispose to avascular necrosis of the talus. Understanding this vascular anatomy is critical in talar fractures.
Ossification of the navicular bone typically completes around which age in children?
4 - 5 years
1 - 2 years
3 - 4 years
9 - 10 years
The navicular is the last tarsal bone to ossify, typically around 4 - 5 years of age. Early recognition of normal ossification patterns is important to differentiate from pathology on pediatric foot radiographs.
0
{"name":"How many tarsal bones are in one human foot?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"How many tarsal bones are in one human foot?, Which bone forms the heel of the foot?, The talus articulates superiorly with which bone of the lower leg?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Foot Bones -

    Use the bones of the foot quiz to accurately recognize and name tarsal, metatarsal, and phalangeal bones in the human foot.

  2. Distinguish Tarsal Structures -

    Differentiate the seven tarsal bones using the tarsal bones quiz, reinforcing your grasp of their unique shapes and locations.

  3. Label Metatarsals and Phalanges -

    Master the sequence and landmarks of metatarsals and phalanges through targeted foot bones quiz activities.

  4. Apply Anatomical Terminology -

    Employ precise anatomical language from the foot anatomy quiz to describe bone positions, movements, and articulations.

  5. Analyze Clinical Foot Scenarios -

    Interpret common injury or pathology cases by applying quiz insights to identify affected bones and suggest clinical considerations.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Tarsal Bone Landmarks -

    The seven tarsal bones form the hind- and midfoot, including the calcaneus (heel) and talus (ankle). Recognize the navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiforms by recalling their positions: medial to lateral - medial, intermediate, lateral. Identifying these in a bones of foot quiz builds your foundation for more advanced foot anatomy quiz questions.

  2. Metatarsal Numbering & Clinical Pearls -

    There are five metatarsals numbered I - V from the hallux (big toe) to the little toe; the second metatarsal acts as a keystone in the transverse arch. Palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse between metatarsals I and II to link anatomy with clinical exam skills. This detail often appears in foot bones quiz scenarios to test functional knowledge.

  3. Phalanges & Joint Classifications -

    The toes contain 14 phalanges: two in the hallux and three in each lesser toe, connected by hinge (IP) and condyloid (MTP) synovial joints. Understanding these joint types helps you predict movement ranges like plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Quizzing on these structures is standard in any bones of the foot quiz or foot anatomy quiz.

  4. Foot Arch Functional Anatomy -

    The medial longitudinal arch (calcaneus to 1st metatarsal), lateral longitudinal arch, and transverse arch distribute weight and absorb shock during gait. Use the navicular drop test to assess arch integrity in practice questions or clinical scenarios. Recognizing arch mechanics boosts confidence in both tarsal bones quiz sections and dynamic anatomy reviews.

  5. Mnemonic Mastery: "Tiger Cubs Need MILC" -

    Memorize "Tiger (Talus), Cubs (Calcaneus), Need (Navicular), M (Medial Cuneiform), I (Intermediate Cuneiform), L (Lateral Cuneiform), C (Cuboid)" to recall tarsal order quickly. Pair this with "Tom, Dick And Very Nervous Harry" for tarsal tunnel structures to reinforce neurovascular anatomy. These fun phrases will help you crush any bones of the foot quiz or tarsal bones quiz with ease!

Powered by: Quiz Maker