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

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Foot anatomy quiz: bones from tarsals to toes

Quick, free foot labeling quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Dennis DavidUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art foot skeleton on sky blue background with numbered bones and intrinsic muscle outlines for anatomy quiz

This foot anatomy quiz helps you label tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges, and spot key landmarks on each bone. Use it to refresh before lab or test yourself after class. For more practice, try the bones of the foot quiz, expand to the lower extremity bones quiz, and see how it compares with the bones of the hand quiz.

How many tarsal bones make up the human foot?
5
6
7
8
There are seven tarsal bones in each foot, comprising the talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiforms. These bones form the posterior part of the foot and play a key role in weight bearing and mobility. Understanding their arrangement is fundamental to foot anatomy.
How many metatarsal bones are present in each foot?
7
6
5
4
Each foot contains five metatarsal bones, numbered one to five from medial (big toe side) to lateral. These long bones connect the tarsal bones to the proximal phalanges and help form the arches of the foot.
How many phalanges are found in a typical adult foot?
15
12
14
13
There are 14 phalanges in each foot: two in the big toe (proximal and distal) and three in each of the other toes. These bones allow toe flexibility and support balance.
Which bone forms the heel of the foot?
Navicular
Cuboid
Calcaneus
Talus
The calcaneus, or heel bone, is the largest tarsal bone and serves as the foundation for the rear part of the foot. It provides attachment for the Achilles tendon and helps bear body weight.
Which bone articulates with both the tibia and fibula to form the ankle joint?
Calcaneus
Talus
Navicular
Cuboid
The talus sits atop the calcaneus and articulates superiorly with the distal ends of the tibia and fibula, forming the talocrural (ankle) joint. Its dome-shaped surface allows for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.
Which bone is located directly medial to the cuboid?
Intermediate cuneiform
Medial cuneiform
Navicular
Lateral cuneiform
The navicular bone lies medial to the cuboid in the proximal row of the tarsals. It articulates posteriorly with the talus and anteriorly with the three cuneiforms.
Which tarsal bone is most lateral in the distal row?
Lateral cuneiform
Intermediate cuneiform
Navicular
Medial cuneiform
The distal row of tarsals consists of three cuneiform bones (medial, intermediate, lateral). The lateral cuneiform is the most lateral of these and articulates with the third metatarsal.
Which bone is sometimes referred to as the 'ankle bone'?
Cuboid
Calcaneus
Talus
Navicular
The talus is often called the 'ankle bone' because it forms the primary connection between the foot and the leg at the ankle joint. It transmits the weight of the body from the tibia to the foot.
How many sesamoid bones are commonly found beneath the first metatarsal head?
1
4
3
2
Two sesamoid bones normally lie under the head of the first metatarsal within the tendons of the flexor hallucis brevis. They act as pulleys to increase mechanical advantage.
Which bone articulates with the first metatarsal?
Medial cuneiform
Cuboid
Lateral cuneiform
Intermediate cuneiform
The medial cuneiform articulates directly with the base of the first metatarsal, forming part of the medial longitudinal arch. It also articulates with the navicular and intermediate cuneiform.
Which tarsal bone lies between the calcaneus and navicular on the medial side?
Cuboid
Intermediate cuneiform
Talus
Lateral cuneiform
The talus sits superior to the calcaneus and anterior to the navicular bone on the medial side of the foot. It transfers weight and allows ankle joint motion.
How many cuneiform bones are in the foot?
4
3
2
5
There are three cuneiform bones in each foot: medial, intermediate, and lateral. They form the distal row of the tarsal bones, articulating with the navicular and the metatarsals.
Which tarsal bone is the largest?
Talus
Cuboid
Navicular
Calcaneus
The calcaneus is the largest tarsal bone, forming the prominence of the heel. It supports the talus and provides attachment for several tendons and ligaments.
Which part of the talus articulates with the tibia?
Head
Neck
Trochlea (dome)
Lateral process
The trochlea of the talus, also called the talar dome, articulates with the tibial plafond and medial malleolus above to form the ankle joint. Its shape allows for stability in dorsiflexion.
Which bone forms the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot?
Intermediate cuneiform
Cuboid
Medial cuneiform
Navicular
The cuboid is the keystone of the lateral longitudinal arch, articulating with the calcaneus posteriorly and the fourth and fifth metatarsals anteriorly. It helps support lateral foot mechanics.
Which tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal is a common site for avulsion fractures?
Neck
Base (styloid)
Shaft
Head
The styloid process on the base of the fifth metatarsal serves as the attachment for the peroneus brevis tendon. Forced inversion of the foot can avulse this tuberosity.
The sinus tarsi is a canal between which two bones?
Calcaneus and Cuboid
Talus and Calcaneus
Talus and Navicular
Navicular and Cuneiforms
The sinus tarsi is the space between the talus and calcaneus on the lateral aspect of the foot. It contains ligaments and neurovascular structures important to subtalar stability.
The peroneal trochlea is a ridge found on which bone?
Cuboid
Talus
Navicular
Calcaneus
The peroneal trochlea is a bony ridge on the lateral surface of the calcaneus that separates the tendons of the peroneus longus and brevis. It guides these tendons around the foot.
Which landmark on the calcaneus supports the talus and forms part of the medial arch?
Sustentaculum tali
Trochlear process
Calcaneal tuberosity
Peroneal tubercle
The sustentaculum tali is a medial projection on the calcaneus that supports the talar head and provides an attachment for the spring ligament. It is vital for the medial longitudinal arch.
Which groove on the cuboid bone accommodates the tendon of the peroneus longus?
Plantar sulcus
Medial groove
Lateral groove
Dorsal sulcus
The plantar sulcus on the cuboid's inferior surface houses the tendon of the peroneus longus, allowing it to travel medially under the foot. This groove is critical for tendon stability.
Which cuneiform articulates with the second metatarsal?
Lateral cuneiform
Medial cuneiform
Navicular
Intermediate cuneiform
The intermediate cuneiform is the smallest cuneiform bone and articulates distally with the base of the second metatarsal. It also connects to the navicular and adjacent cuneiforms.
Which ligament occupies the sinus tarsi?
Deltoid ligament
Interosseous talocalcaneal ligament
Calcaneonavicular ligament
Bifurcate ligament
The interosseous talocalcaneal ligament spans the sinus tarsi between the talus and calcaneus, playing a key role in subtalar stability. It resists excessive inversion and eversion.
Which joint type is formed by the articulation between the tibia, fibula, and talus?
Hinge
Ball-and-socket
Saddle
Pivot
The talocrural or ankle joint is a hinge joint formed by the distal tibia, fibula, and the trochlea of the talus, allowing only dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.
Where does the Achilles tendon insert on the calcaneus?
Sustentaculum tali
Medial surface
Plantar surface
Posterior surface
The Achilles tendon inserts on the posterior surface of the calcaneus at the calcaneal tuberosity, transmitting the force of the calf muscles for plantarflexion.
The navicular tuberosity serves as the attachment for which tendon?
Tibialis posterior
Tibialis anterior
Peroneus longus
Flexor hallucis longus
The tibialis posterior tendon inserts on the navicular tuberosity, supporting the medial arch and inverting the foot. Dysfunction here can cause flatfoot.
Which bone articulates with the fourth and fifth metatarsals?
Lateral cuneiform
Intermediate cuneiform
Cuboid
Navicular
The cuboid is positioned laterally in the distal tarsal row and articulates anteriorly with the bases of the fourth and fifth metatarsals.
At what age does the navicular bone typically begin to ossify?
3 years
Birth
6 years
6 months
The navicular bone typically begins ossification around three years of age. Late ossification can impact arch development and is assessed in pediatric foot conditions.
Which accessory bone located posterior to the talus can mimic an avulsion fracture on imaging?
Os naviculare
Os tibiale externum
Os trigonum
Os peroneum
The os trigonum is an accessory ossicle that may form behind the lateral tubercle of the talus. It can be mistaken for a fracture following trauma.
Which bony landmark on the calcaneus provides a pulley for the flexor hallucis longus tendon?
Sustentaculum tali
Anterior process
Peroneal trochlea
Calcaneal sulcus
The sustentaculum tali on the medial calcaneus acts as a pulley for the flexor hallucis longus tendon, altering its direction toward the big toe. This is critical for great toe flexion.
Which tarsal bone has a prominent dorsal groove for the tendon of the peroneus longus?
Cuboid
Navicular
Talus
Lateral cuneiform
The cuboid has a plantar groove, not dorsal; however, its dorsal surface is flattened. The plantar sulcus actually accommodates the peroneus longus. This question tests knowledge of foot tendon anatomy.
Which facet of the calcaneus articulates with the talus in the posterior subtalar joint?
Posterior facet
Middle facet
Anterior facet
Lateral facet
The posterior facet of the calcaneus is the largest articular surface and engages with the talar posterior facet to form the posterior subtalar joint. This joint allows foot inversion and eversion.
Which developmental condition is characterized by a failure of the navicular to ossify properly?
Accessory navicular syndrome
Metatarsus adductus
Tarsal coalitions
Calcaneovalgus
Accessory navicular syndrome involves an extra ossicle or enlarged navicular bone. It arises from failure of the secondary ossification center to fuse and can cause medial foot pain.
The lateral process of the talus is most commonly fractured in which mechanism of injury?
Forced toe extension
Dorsiflexion, eversion
Plantarflexion, inversion
Direct blow to the heel
A lateral process talar fracture typically occurs in dorsiflexion and eversion, often seen in snowboarders. It may be mistaken for an ankle sprain.
Which bone may exhibit a 'beak' on its anterior aspect in patients with plantar fasciitis?
Calcaneus
Cuboid
Navicular
Talus
A calcaneal 'heel spur' or 'beak' on the anterior calcaneus can develop at the plantar fascia insertion in chronic plantar fasciitis. It is visible on lateral foot X-rays.
Which articulation is involved in a talocalcaneal navicular joint coalition?
Talus with navicular only
Calcaneus with cuboid
Navicular with cuneiforms
Talus, calcaneus, and navicular
A talocalcaneal navicular coalition is a tarsal coalition where two or more of these bones (talus, calcaneus, navicular) are abnormally united. It restricts hindfoot motion and causes pain.
Which ossification center appears first in the talus during fetal development?
Lateral process
Head
Body
Neck
The body of the talus ossifies first around the 20th week of fetal life, preceding ossification of the head. Understanding ossification timing aids in pediatric assessments.
Which bone shows a tuberosity laterally for the attachment of the calcaneofibular ligament?
Calcaneus
Navicular
Cuboid
Talus
The calcaneus has a lateral tubercle where the calcaneofibular ligament attaches, supporting lateral ankle stability. Injury here can lead to chronic instability.
Which bone forms the lateral wall of the sinus tarsi?
Talus
Navicular
Calcaneus
Cuboid
The lateral wall of the sinus tarsi is formed by the lateral process of the talus, while the floor is part of the calcaneus. This anatomy is important in subtalar stability.
Which rare accessory bone in the foot is called the os intermetatarseum?
Within the peroneus longus tendon
Between navicular and cuneiform
Posterior to the talus
Between first and second metatarsals
The os intermetatarseum is an uncommon accessory ossicle located between the bases of the first and second metatarsals. It may cause dorsal foot pain and is visible on imaging.
Which bone involvement is seen in Müller-Weiss disease?
Talus
Cuboid
Calcaneus
Navicular
Müller-Weiss disease is a spontaneous adult-onset osteonecrosis of the navicular bone, leading to collapse and fragmentation. It causes chronic midfoot pain.
Which advanced imaging sign indicates a stress reaction in the second metatarsal?
Double line sign on MRI
Periosteal reaction on X-ray
Bone marrow edema on MRI
Subchondral cysts on CT
Bone marrow edema on MRI is an early indicator of a stress reaction in the metatarsals. It appears as increased signal on fluid-sensitive sequences.
Which structure forms the floor of the tarsal tunnel?
Flexor retinaculum
Calcaneus and talus
Sustentaculum tali only
Navicular and cuboid
The floor of the tarsal tunnel is formed by the medial surfaces of the calcaneus and talus, covered by the flexor retinaculum. This canal transmits tendons and neurovascular structures.
Which bone is most commonly involved in Charcot neuroarthropathy of the midfoot?
Medial cuneiform
Talus
Cuboid
Navicular
Charcot neuroarthropathy often involves the tarsometatarsal joints, with collapse of the navicular and cuneiform region, known as the Chopart joint. This leads to midfoot deformity.
Which tarsal bone displays a vertical groove for the tendon of the tibialis posterior?
Navicular
Medial cuneiform
Intermediate cuneiform
Lateral cuneiform
The navicular tuberosity has a groove on its plantar surface for the tibialis posterior tendon, which supports the medial arch. Damage here leads to flatfoot deformity.
0
{"name":"How many tarsal bones make up the human foot?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"How many tarsal bones make up the human foot?, How many metatarsal bones are present in each foot?, How many phalanges are found in a typical adult foot?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Foot Bones -

    Accurately name the tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges when completing the bones of foot quiz.

  2. Label Intrinsic Foot Muscles -

    Correctly label the intrinsic muscles of the foot on diagrams provided in the foot labeling quiz.

  3. Distinguish Tarsal and Metatarsal Structures -

    Differentiate between tarsal and metatarsal bones based on their anatomical features and quiz prompts.

  4. Recall Anatomical Landmarks -

    Remember essential landmarks such as the navicular tuberosity and cuboid groove for clinical and quiz applications.

  5. Recognize Muscle-Bone Relationships -

    Illustrate how intrinsic muscle attachments correspond to specific bone surfaces in foot anatomy quiz challenges.

  6. Apply Anatomical Knowledge -

    Use learned concepts to answer progressively challenging foot quiz questions and reinforce retention.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mnemonic for Tarsal Bones -

    Use "The Circus Needs More Interesting Little Clowns" to recall Talus, Calcaneus, Navicular, Medial cuneiform, Intermediate cuneiform, Lateral cuneiform, and Cuboid. This trick boosts speed when you tackle the bones of foot quiz or any foot anatomy quiz. Reinforcing this mnemonic through daily review will cement your recall (University of Michigan Foot & Ankle Anatomy).

  2. Metatarsal Numbering and Function -

    Remember that metatarsals are numbered I - V from the medial (big toe) to lateral side, with the second metatarsal acting as a keystone in arch stability. Proper alignment is crucial for weight bearing and gait - key topics in your foot labeling quiz. Clinical studies show misalignment can lead to stress fractures in sports medicine (Journal of Foot & Ankle Research).

  3. Intrinsic Muscle Compartments -

    The foot has four intrinsic muscle layers: superficial, second, third, and deep, each with distinct origins and insertions. For your bones of foot quiz, note that the first layer houses abductor hallucis, abductor digiti minimi, and flexor digitorum brevis. According to Gray's Anatomy, knowing these layers by region helps you correctly label the intrinsic muscles of the foot.

  4. Arches of the Foot -

    Identify the medial longitudinal, lateral longitudinal, and transverse arches formed by tarsals and metatarsals plus supporting ligaments. These arches distribute body weight and store elastic energy; you'll see questions on them in any comprehensive foot anatomy quiz. Reviewing ligament attachments (e.g., plantar calcaneonavicular ligament) from Harvard Medical School material sharpens your understanding.

  5. Palpable Bone Landmarks -

    Practice locating the navicular tuberosity, medial malleolus, and sustentaculum tali on yourself or a model to ace the foot labeling quiz. Palpation skills ground your theoretical knowledge - essential for students and pros alike. Hands-on review, as recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, solidifies bone identification.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Human Anatomy & Medicine Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker