How many tarsal bones are contained in each foot?

Appeared in: PGICH Noida NO-2025

Explanation

Each foot contains exactly seven tarsal bones, which are short bones that make up the posterior part of the foot.
These bones are responsible for forming the ankle joint, the heel, and the arches of the foot, playing a critical role in weight-bearing and mobility.
The seven tarsal bones are the talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, and the three cuneiforms (medial, intermediate, and lateral).

Option A: The foot is a complex anatomical structure composed of 26 bones, not a single bone.
Option B: The number five corresponds to the quantity of metatarsal bones in each foot, not the tarsal bones.
Option D: The number three corresponds to the quantity of cuneiform bones (medial, intermediate, and lateral), which are a subset of the tarsal bones, not the total count.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomy of the foot: Tarsal bones as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A solid understanding of foot anatomy is essential for nurses to assess and manage common injuries like fractures (e.g., calcaneal fracture from a fall from height), sprains, and dislocations.
This knowledge is critical for proper patient positioning, assisting with mobility, applying casts or splints, and educating patients about their condition.
What if the patient has a Lisfranc injury? This severe injury involves the disruption of the tarsometatarsal joint, which is the junction between the tarsal bones (cuneiforms and cuboid) and the metatarsal bones. Recognizing the location of pain and swelling in this area is key to suspecting this diagnosis, which often requires surgical intervention.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'tarsal bones'.
This is a factual recall question based on anatomical knowledge.
Mentally picture or recall the three main groups of bones in the foot: tarsals (ankle/heel area), metatarsals (midfoot), and phalanges (toes).
Differentiate the counts for each group. Recall that there are 7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals, and 14 phalanges.
Select the option that matches the correct count for the tarsal bones.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 2 Part 3 p. 31-33

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 270-272

Practise the full PGICH Noida NO-2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.