Arches of the Foot

ARCHES OF THE FOOT

The foot has three major arches that help distribute the weight of the body between the heel and the ball of the foot during standing and walking. Two longitudinal—the medial and the lateral longitudinal arch— and one transverse—the transverse arch—exist. The shape of the arch is maintained by ligaments, the ten-dons attached to the foot, and the configuration of the bones. The medial arch is formed by the calcaneus, talus, navicular, cuneiforms and the medial three metatarsal bones. The lateral arch is formed by the calcaneus, cuboid, and the two lateral metatarsals. The transverse arch is formed bby the cuboid and cuneiform bones.