01 / Location & anatomical relationships
Below the ankle, from heel to toes.
02 / Structure & organization
The foot contains tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges arranged into longitudinal and transverse arches. Ligaments, the plantar aponeurosis and muscle activity help maintain these arches as body weight moves across the foot.
03 / Function
Their bones and arches spread the forces of standing and walking.
04 / Mechanism
Many bones are arranged into arches, connected by ligaments and muscles. The arches can change slightly as weight moves across the foot. This helps the foot both absorb force and become a firm lever for pushing off.
Part of a bigger picture
The foot belongs in our legs & feet collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
Explore legs & feet →FOR DEEPER STUDY
Connect structure with function
The foot changes from a relatively adaptable contact surface to a firmer lever during gait. Its arches deform under load rather than remaining completely rigid.
Check your understanding
Locate the foot in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.