The anatomy of humane bodies epitomized wherein all parts of man's body, with their actions and uses, are succinctly described, according to the newest doctrine of the most accurate and learned modern anatomists / by a Fellow of the College of Physicians, London.

CHAP. XXIII.

Of the Bones of the Tarsus.

OF the Foot (as of the Hands) there are three parts, Tarsus, Metatarsus, and the Toes.

The Tarsus is the distance between the lower end of the two Focils,* 1.1 and the beginning of the five Bones which are articulated with the Toes.

It hath seven Bones much differing from one ano∣ther in bigness and shape.

The first is called Talus or Astragalus (in Eng∣lish the Ankle or Huckle-bone.)* 1.2 This is of a various figure: above, it has something a convex head with a shallow Sinus in it, articulating with the Tibia, as is described in the foregoing Chap∣ter. By the process of the Tibia that makes the inner Ankle it is hedged in as it were on the in∣side, as it is by that of the Fibula on the outer. Before, it has a long neck, on which grows a round head that enters into the Sinus of Os navi∣culare; upon which jointing the Foot is moved sideways. Its hinder side is rough, and in its up∣per part has a transverse Sinus for the receipt of the Ligament of the Tibia, and in its lower a little descending Sinus, by which the Tendons of the Muscles pass. Below, it has a Sinus behind and a Protuberance before, by which it is articulated with the Heel-bone by Ginglymus. Betwixt the Sinus and Protuberance there is a long and pretty deep Cavity, and over against it another such in the Heel-bone. In these is contained a mucous substance which moistens the cartilaginous Liga∣ments that join the Talus to the Heel-bone, keep∣ing them from drying by continued motion.

The second Bone of the Tarsus is called Os calcis or Calcaneus,* 1.3 the Heel-bone, and is the biggest of the seven. It lies under the Talus, with which in its upper side it is articulated in the manner just now described. Behind, it receiveth the great Tendon called Nervus Hectoreus, composed of the Tendons of three Muscles of the Shank. Its fore end is received by the Os cubiforme. On its inside it has a large Sinus, by which the Tendons and

larger Vessels descend to the lower parts of the Foot; and on its outside it is uneven with several knobs, for the firmer connexion of the Liga∣ments and Tendons.

The third is called Os Naviculare or Cymbiforme,* 1.4 from its figure. Behind, it receiveth the Talus in a large Sinus; but before, it is convex, with three flattish smooth heads that are admitted into the very shallow Sinus of the three Ossa cuneiformia or lesser Bones of the Tarsus.

The remaining four are less than the three al∣ready described, and stand all in one rank; the first of them articulates with the Heel-bone, the other three with the Os naviculare. There is no Cartilage betwixt them, but they are knit one to another on the outside by a cartilaginous Liga∣ment; and are cover'd both in their hinder and fore-part with a smooth Cartilage where they are jointed with other Bones. The first is called Cu∣biforme or Die-like,* 1.5 having six sides. This is bigger than the other three that follow, and is seated on the outside of the Foot. In its foreside it is joined to the fourth and fifth Bone of the Metatarsus; in the hinder with the Heel bone; and in the inside, to the third Bone of the Cunei∣formia: but its other three sides, viz. the outer, upper and lower are joined to none.

The three ensuing are called Cuneiformia,* 1.6 or wedge-like Bones; for above they are thick, and below thinner, so that being joined, they repre∣sent a Vault, being convex on the upper side, but on the under hollow; in which hollowness the Tendons and Muscles are lodged, so that one does not press upon and bruise them in going. The first of these Bones is the greatest, seated in

the inside of the Foot; the second is the least, placed in the middle; the third is in the mean between both in bigness. These three behind are joined to the Os naviculare, and before to the three first Bones of the Metatarsus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Tarsus hath seven bones.
• * 1.2

  1. Talus.
• * 1.3

  2. Os cal∣cis.
• * 1.4

  3. Os na∣viculare.
• * 1.5

  4. Os cu∣biforme.
• * 1.6

  5. Three Cuneifor∣mia.