What Every Part of Your Foot Is Called

Foot anatomy is easiest to understand in layers. Begin with the main parts you can see or touch—the toes, ball, arch, instep, sole, heel, and ankle region. Next, orient each location using terms such as dorsal, plantar, medial, and lateral. Then connect those surface landmarks to the forefoot, midfoot, hindfoot, bones, joints, arches, tendons, ligaments, and fascia underneath.

This guide covers the main visible landmarks and principal anatomical structures rather than every muscle, nerve, blood vessel, ligament, and tissue in the foot. It is arranged as a reference that you can mentally apply to four separate views:

• Top view: toes, dorsum, instep, and ankle region
• Sole view: toe pads, ball, arch, sole, and plantar heel
• Side view: medial or lateral edge, longitudinal arches, and heel
• Skeletal view: phalanges, metatarsals, tarsals, and major joints

Keeping those views separate is clearer than trying to place every term on one crowded diagram. The terminology can help you communicate exactly where something is located, but location alone cannot identify the cause of pain or establish a diagnosis.

Foot parts at a glance: everyday and anatomical names

The main visible parts of the foot have both everyday and anatomical names. Some pairs are direct equivalents—such as big toe and hallux—while others require an important distinction. The heel, for example, is an external region; the calcaneus is the bone beneath it.

Everyday name	Anatomical term or description	Where it is
Top of the foot	Dorsum or dorsal surface	The upward-facing surface between the toes and ankle region
Bottom of the foot	Sole or plantar surface	The ground-facing underside
Big toe	Great toe or hallux	The first toe, on the medial side
Lesser toes	Second through fifth toes	The four toes lateral to the hallux
Ball of the foot	Plantar metatarsal-head region	The padded forefoot beneath the metatarsal heads
Arch	Usually the medial plantar arch in everyday speech	The curved area most visible along the inner sole
Instep	Raised dorsal area	The raised area on top of the foot behind the toes
Heel	Rear-foot region; plantar heel when referring specifically to the underside	The back of the foot, including the ground-facing heel pad and adjacent posterior area
Heel bone	Calcaneus	The large bone beneath the heel
Ankle	Ankle joint region	The junction between the foot and lower leg

The toes form the front end of the foot. The big toe is the hallux or great toe. The remaining toes are collectively called the lesser toes and are most clearly identified as the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes. The fifth toe is also commonly called the little toe.

The ball of the foot is the padded area on the plantar surface immediately behind the toes. Anatomically, it corresponds broadly to the area beneath the metatarsal heads. Everyday use may cover a wider part of the plantar forefoot than a narrowly defined anatomical landmark.

The arch generally means the curved part of the sole, especially the prominent curve on the big-toe side. The foot has three principal named arches, discussed later in this guide.

The instep is the raised area on top of the foot, generally extending from behind the toes toward the front of the ankle. It is related to the shape produced by the underlying bones and arches, but it is not another name for the plantar arch or for the anatomical midfoot. General surface terminology distinguishes the dorsum, sole, instep, ball, arch, and heel as related but separate landmarks (ZeroSole’s overview of external foot regions).

The sole is the entire underside of the foot. For greater precision, it can be described in sections such as the plantar forefoot, plantar arch, and plantar heel.

The everyday word heel can refer broadly to the rear of the foot. The plantar heel is specifically its ground-facing underside, while the posterior heel lies toward the back near the Achilles tendon. The calcaneus is the heel bone beneath this external region; “heel” and “calcaneus” are therefore closely related but not interchangeable.

The ankle is a joint region rather than a single foot bone. Its central articulation is where the tibia and fibula of the lower leg meet the talus of the foot.

How to orient yourself: front, back, top, bottom, inner, and outer

Anatomical direction words provide a consistent way to describe a location on either foot. “Left side” or “right side” can be ambiguous, but medial always means toward the body’s midline and lateral always means away from it.

Anatomical term	Plain-English meaning	Example
Dorsal	On the top of the foot	Dorsal forefoot
Plantar	On the sole or bottom	Plantar heel
Medial	On the inner, big-toe side	Medial arch
Lateral	On the outer, little-toe side	Lateral midfoot
Anterior	Toward the toes or front	Anterior forefoot
Posterior	Toward the heel or back	Posterior heel

The dorsum is the top surface, so a location on top of the foot may be described as dorsal. “Dorsal forefoot near the second toe,” for example, identifies both the surface and the regional location.

Plantar means on the sole. The phrase “plantar heel” identifies the underside of the rear foot rather than the posterior heel near the Achilles tendon.

Medial means toward the body’s midline. On either foot, it is the side containing the hallux. The prominent inner arch is therefore the medial arch.

Lateral means away from the body’s midline. On the foot, it is the little-toe side. A spot on the outer central edge can be described as the lateral midfoot. These four core labels—dorsal, plantar, medial, and lateral—are standard orientation terms in foot anatomy (Achilles Foot and Ankle Center’s orientation guide).

“Front” and “back” remain useful ordinary words. In anatomical descriptions, anterior generally points toward the toes, while posterior points toward the heel. Dorsal and plantar are more useful when distinguishing the top from the bottom.

The terms can be combined to create bounded descriptions:

• Dorsal forefoot: top of the foot near the metatarsals and toes
• Plantar heel: underside of the heel
• Medial arch: inner, big-toe-side arch
• Lateral midfoot: outer central part of the foot
• Plantar forefoot near the first toe: underside near the hallux side
• Dorsolateral foot: on top and toward the little-toe side

This wording improves location accuracy, especially when pointing is not possible. It communicates where a symptom is felt, not which tissue is affected, what caused it, or which diagnosis might apply.

Forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot

The foot is commonly organized into three anatomical regions: the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. These divisions connect visible landmarks with the bones underneath.

Region	Principal bones	Familiar surface landmarks	Neutral description
Forefoot	Five metatarsals and 14 phalanges; two usual sesamoids lie beneath the first metatarsal head	Toes and ball of the foot	Front portion extending through the metatarsals and toes
Midfoot	Navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiforms	Much of the central arch area and part of the instep	Central region between the hindfoot and metatarsals
Hindfoot	Talus and calcaneus	Heel and rear foot	Rear region linking the foot with the ankle area

The hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot bone groupings—including the usual two sesamoids associated with the forefoot—are described in OrthoPaedia’s anatomical overview (regional anatomy of the foot and ankle).

The hindfoot contains the talus and calcaneus. The visible heel is primarily associated with this region because the calcaneus lies beneath it. The talus sits above the calcaneus and participates in the ankle joint.

The midfoot contains five bones:

• The navicular
• The cuboid
• The medial cuneiform
• The intermediate cuneiform
• The lateral cuneiform

These bones occupy the central part of the foot and contribute to its arch structure.

This resolves a common point of confusion: the foot contains seven tarsal bones overall, but only five of them are in the midfoot. The other two—the talus and calcaneus—belong to the hindfoot.

The forefoot contains five metatarsals and 14 phalanges. Two sesamoid bones also usually lie beneath the head of the first metatarsal, but the standard 26-bone framework lists them separately.

As a practical surface map, the heel corresponds primarily to the hindfoot, much of the central arch area to the midfoot, and the ball and toes to the forefoot. These are useful approximations, not rigid skin boundaries. A visible landmark may span several bones or more than one underlying region.

The 26 standard foot bones, organized by name

The conventional skeletal framework for one foot contains 26 bones: seven tarsals, five metatarsals, and 14 phalanges. Two usual sesamoids beneath the first metatarsal head are not included in that standard count, and accessory bones can alter an individual’s actual total (standard bone count and sesamoid convention).

The seven tarsals

The seven tarsal bones occupy the hindfoot and midfoot:

1. Talus
2. Calcaneus
3. Navicular
4. Cuboid
5. Medial cuneiform
6. Intermediate cuneiform
7. Lateral cuneiform

The talus is the upper bone of the hindfoot. It meets the tibia and fibula at the ankle, the calcaneus below at the subtalar joint, and the navicular in front at the talonavicular joint.

The calcaneus is the heel bone and the largest bone in the foot. It lies beneath the talus and forms the principal bony framework of the visible heel.

The navicular lies toward the medial, or big-toe, side of the midfoot. It is positioned in front of the talus and behind the cuneiforms.

The cuboid lies toward the lateral, or little-toe, side. It is in front of the calcaneus and behind the fourth- and fifth-metatarsal region.

The three cuneiforms sit between the navicular and the bases of the first three metatarsals. Their names—medial, intermediate, and lateral—describe their relative positions across the foot. These bone relationships and the calcaneus’s status as the largest foot bone are summarized by the Arthritis Foundation (foot bones and joints).

The five metatarsals

The metatarsals are the five long bones between the tarsals and toe phalanges. They are numbered from medial to lateral:

1. First metatarsal: aligned with the hallux
2. Second metatarsal: aligned with the second toe
3. Third metatarsal: aligned with the third toe
4. Fourth metatarsal: aligned with the fourth toe
5. Fifth metatarsal: aligned with the little toe

The numbering direction is the same on both feet: begin on the big-toe side and move toward the little-toe side.

Each metatarsal has three principal parts:

• Base: the end nearer the midfoot
• Shaft: the long central section
• Head: the rounded end nearer the toe

The bases meet the midfoot bones. The metatarsal heads lie immediately behind the toes and provide the bony foundation for the ball-of-foot region.

The 14 phalanges

The toe bones are called phalanges; a single toe bone is a phalanx. Their standard total is 14:

• Two phalanges in the hallux
• Three phalanges in each of the four lesser toes

Four lesser toes with three phalanges each account for 12 bones; adding the hallux’s two gives 14.

Why the count may be 28 instead of 26

Two small sesamoid bones usually lie in tendon beneath the first metatarsal head near the hallux. Some references include them and describe the foot as having 28 bones. Other references use the conventional count of 26 and list the sesamoids separately.

Both totals can therefore reflect different counting conventions rather than disagreement about the usual location of the sesamoids. Accessory bones and other anatomical variation may change an individual’s actual total as well. “Twenty-six bones” is best understood as the standard framework for organizing the main bones, not an exceptionless total for every person.

Toe names, toe bones, and the joints at the base of the toes

The big toe is also called the great toe or hallux. The other four are collectively known as the lesser toes.

Numbers are the clearest way to identify individual toes:

1. First toe: hallux or big toe
2. Second toe
3. Third toe
4. Fourth toe
5. Fifth or little toe

There is no need to give the second, third, and fourth toes invented formal names. Toe numbering follows the same medial-to-lateral direction as metatarsal numbering, beginning with the hallux and ending with the little toe.

Phalanges in the hallux

The hallux normally has two phalanges:

• Proximal phalanx: nearer the rest of the foot
• Distal phalanx: at the tip of the toe

Because it has two phalanges, the hallux has one joint between them: the interphalangeal joint, commonly abbreviated IP joint.

Phalanges in the lesser toes

Each lesser toe normally has three phalanges:

• Proximal phalanx
• Middle phalanx
• Distal phalanx

The joint between the proximal and middle phalanges is the proximal interphalangeal joint, or PIP joint. The joint between the middle and distal phalanges is the distal interphalangeal joint, or DIP joint. The normal two-phalange pattern in the hallux and three-phalange pattern in each lesser toe are documented in clinical foot-anatomy references (toe and forefoot anatomy).

Where a toe meets the foot

The joint at the base of each toe is a metatarsophalangeal joint, abbreviated MTP joint. The name identifies the two bones meeting there: a metatarsal and a phalanx.

Examples include:

• First MTP joint: where the first metatarsal meets the hallux
• Second MTP joint: where the second metatarsal meets the second toe
• Fifth MTP joint: where the fifth metatarsal meets the little toe

The correct abbreviation in this context is MTP. MCP refers to a metacarpophalangeal joint in the hand.

The two usual sesamoid bones lie in tendon beneath the first metatarsal-head region, close to the first MTP joint. They are not additional toe phalanges, even though they sit near the hallux.

Major joints and the three arches of the foot

A joint is a place where bones meet. The ankle and foot contain numerous articulations that work together, but a beginner’s map can focus on several major named regions.

Ankle or talocrural joint

The ankle joint, more precisely called the talocrural joint, is where the lower ends of the tibia and fibula meet the talus. This is why “ankle” refers to a joint region rather than the name of one foot bone.

The bony prominences commonly called the inner and outer ankle bones belong to the lower leg:

• The medial malleolus is formed by the distal tibia.
• The lateral malleolus is formed by the distal fibula.

The talus sits below them within the ankle articulation.

Subtalar joint

The subtalar joint lies between the talus and calcaneus. It is positioned below the ankle joint within the hindfoot.

Talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints

Two important articulations connect the hindfoot and midfoot:

• Talonavicular joint: between the talus and navicular
• Calcaneocuboid joint: between the calcaneus and cuboid

Together, these joints mark a transition between the rear and central regions of the foot.

Tarsometatarsal and Lisfranc region

The tarsometatarsal, or TMT, region is where the midfoot bones meet the bases of the metatarsals.

The Lisfranc joint complex involves the metatarsal bases meeting the three cuneiforms and the cuboid, with ligaments connecting and stabilizing the region. “Lisfranc” therefore refers to a joint-and-ligament complex, not an isolated bone. The ankle, subtalar, midfoot, TMT, MTP, and interphalangeal articulations are outlined together in clinical anatomy references.

Toe joints

At the front of the foot:

• MTP joints are where the toes meet the foot.
• Interphalangeal joints lie between the phalanges within the toes.
• The hallux has one IP joint.
• Each lesser toe normally has a PIP and DIP joint.

It is better not to assign one definitive total to the number of joints in the foot without explaining the counting method and possible anatomical variation.

The three arches

The foot has three principal named arches:

1. Medial longitudinal arch
2. Lateral longitudinal arch
3. Transverse arch

The medial longitudinal arch runs lengthwise along the big-toe side. It is the higher inner curve most people mean when referring simply to “the arch.”

The lateral longitudinal arch runs lengthwise along the little-toe side. It is lower and follows the outer portion of the foot.

The transverse arch runs across the foot rather than from heel to toe. It describes the foot’s side-to-side curved organization. The three arch names are included in clinical overviews of the foot’s skeletal framework.

In general terms, the joints permit coordinated movement while the arches contribute to support and load management. Neither system operates in isolation: bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and other tissues all contribute to the foot’s structure.

Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia: what the terms mean

The foot is more than a skeleton. Its bones and joints are moved and supported by several kinds of soft tissue. The terms are related, but they are not interchangeable.

Tissue	Basic meaning	Foot example
Muscle	Tissue that produces or controls movement	Quadratus plantae
Tendon	Connects muscle to bone	Achilles tendon
Ligament	Connects bone to bone	Ligaments of the Lisfranc complex
Fascia	Connective-tissue sheet or band surrounding, separating, or supporting structures	Plantar fascia or plantar aponeurosis

Muscles

Muscles produce or control movement by contracting. They can also help maintain position and stability.

Foot-related muscles are commonly divided into two broad groups:

• Intrinsic muscles remain entirely within the foot.
• Extrinsic muscles originate in the lower leg and act through tendons that enter the foot.

The quadratus plantae is one example of an intrinsic muscle in the sole. It is only one part of a much larger muscular system, not a complete inventory. The intrinsic–extrinsic distinction is summarized in the Arthritis Foundation’s anatomical overview.

Tendons

A tendon connects muscle to bone and transfers muscular force to the skeleton. Familiar tendons associated with the foot include:

• Achilles tendon: connects the calf region to the heel
• Posterior tibialis tendon: contributes to arch support
• Flexor digitorum tendons: help curl the lesser toes
• Flexor hallucis tendon: helps curl the hallux

The Achilles tendon attaches at the heel and contributes to actions used in running, jumping, and rising onto the toes (Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute’s foot anatomy overview). There is no need to rely on unsupported superlatives such as calling it the body’s “strongest” tendon.

The posterior tibialis, flexor digitorum, and flexor hallucis functions are described in a general foot-structure overview that also identifies the quadratus plantae in the sole (Foot Solutions’ anatomy guide).

Ligaments

A ligament connects one bone to another. Ligaments help preserve the relationship between bones across a joint and limit unwanted separation or movement.

In the Lisfranc complex, for example, ligaments connect and stabilize the metatarsal bases and adjoining midfoot bones. Numerous other ligaments support the ankle, hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot.

The introductory distinction is:

• Tendon: muscle to bone
• Ligament: bone to bone

These definitions are useful for orientation, although the detailed structure and behavior of connective tissues are more complex.

Fascia and the plantar aponeurosis

Fascia is connective tissue arranged in sheets, bands, coverings, and partitions around or between anatomical structures. The best-known example on the sole is the plantar fascia.

In more precise anatomical usage, its thick central portion is called the plantar aponeurosis. It extends from the heel region along the sole toward the forefoot and helps support the longitudinal arches. Anatomical descriptions distinguish this strong central aponeurosis from weaker medial and lateral parts of the plantar fascia (Osmosis overview of plantar foot fascia).

In a naming guide, however, fascia or plantar aponeurosis is more precise. Calling it simply a ligament removes useful anatomical nuance.

The Achilles tendon and plantar fascia are familiar examples, not a complete account of the foot’s soft tissues. The foot also contains many other muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascial layers, nerves, blood vessels, and cushioning tissues.

Using foot-part names accurately—and not confusing them with shoe parts

A precise description can move from broad to specific. One useful formula is:

Surface + foot region + side or nearby landmark

Examples include:

• Plantar heel on the medial side
• Dorsal forefoot near the second toe
• Plantar arch discomfort
• A spot on the lateral midfoot
• Soreness at the first MTP joint
• Tenderness on the dorsum near the third metatarsal
• Discomfort along the medial side of the hallux

When discussing a symptom with a clinician, you can also describe when it began, whether there are visible changes, and what makes it better or worse. Keep the location separate from assumptions about the cause. “Soreness at the first MTP joint” identifies a place; it does not identify a condition.

Foot anatomy versus shoe construction

Some familiar terms describe footwear rather than the body:

Foot terms: toes, hallux, dorsum, instep, sole, ball, arch, heel, metatarsals Shoe terms: toe box, vamp, insole, outsole, heel counter, shoe heel

Human-foot term	Potentially confusing shoe term	Difference
Toes	Toe box	The toes are anatomy; the toe box is the front compartment of a shoe surrounding them.
Instep	Vamp	The instep is the raised top area of the foot; the vamp is the shoe upper covering much of that area.
Sole of the foot	Insole or outsole	The sole is anatomy. The insole is inside the shoe; the outsole contacts the ground.
Heel	Heel counter or shoe heel	The heel is part of the body. The heel counter surrounds the rear foot; the shoe heel is the supporting or raised component beneath it.
Arch	Arch support	The arch is anatomical; arch support is a footwear feature or separate component.

Footwear glossaries list the toe box, vamp, insole, outsole, and heel among shoe components, even though several of these terms resemble anatomical labels (comparison of foot and shoe parts).

Accurate terminology improves communication, but it does not provide a diagnosis. This article is general educational information rather than medical care. A clinician can assess symptoms, urgency, and possible causes in the context of your health history and an examination.

Frequently asked questions

What is the top of the foot called?

The top of the foot is the dorsum, dorsal surface, or dorsal region. The instep is the raised portion of this top surface, not a synonym for the entire dorsum.

A location on top near the toes can be described as the dorsal forefoot. A location farther back can be called the dorsal midfoot.

What is the bottom of the foot called?

The bottom of the foot is the sole or plantar surface. “Plantar” is the adjective used for something situated on this surface.

The ball, plantar arch, and underside of the heel are all parts of the sole. More specific descriptions include plantar forefoot, plantar arch, and plantar heel.

Why do some anatomy guides say the foot has 26 bones and others say 28?

The standard count of 26 consists of:

• Seven tarsals
• Five metatarsals
• Fourteen phalanges

Two sesamoid bones usually lie beneath the first metatarsal head. References that include those sesamoids report a total of 28, while references using the conventional 26-bone framework list them separately. Accessory bones and anatomical variation can also affect an individual’s actual count.

Are the instep, arch, and midfoot the same thing?

No. They are related but distinct:

• The instep is the raised area on top of the foot.
• The arch usually means the curved structure along the sole, especially on the medial side.
• The midfoot is the anatomical region containing the navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiform bones.

The midfoot contributes to the shapes of the arches and instep, which is why the terms are sometimes used loosely. They are not exact synonyms.

What is the difference between a tendon, ligament, and fascia?

A tendon connects muscle to bone. The Achilles tendon is a familiar example.

A ligament connects bone to bone, usually across or around a joint.

Fascia is connective tissue arranged in sheets, bands, coverings, or partitions. The plantar fascia—and, more precisely, its strong central plantar aponeurosis—extends along the sole and contributes to arch support.

These are introductory distinctions. The tissues may have overlapping structural roles, but the terms are not interchangeable.

A compact foot-parts recap

The visible foot can be described using landmarks such as the toes, ball, arch, instep, sole, and heel. Anatomical orientation makes those descriptions more precise:

• Dorsal means on top.
• Plantar means on the sole.
• Medial means on the big-toe side.
• Lateral means on the little-toe side.

Under the surface, the skeleton is organized into the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. Three especially useful translations are:

• Hallux: big toe
• Calcaneus: heel bone
• MTP joint: the joint where a toe meets the foot

These terms can help you explain where a symptom is located. They do not, by themselves, reveal its cause or establish a diagnosis.