Anatomy
Anklebone. Tarsal bone, irregular shape (boxing glove from above), transmitting weight of body to foot through articulations up with malleoli of tibia and fibula (talocrural joint – hinge), down with calcaneus (subtalar joint) and forward with navicular (along with calcaneocuboid joint, forms transverse talar joint).
Clinical
Fractures can be difficult to treat, can lead to deformity, arthritis or necrosis, with significant disability given importance of talus in ankle and subtalar joints. Poor, retrograde blood supply, along with significant surface coverage of articular cartilage (without penetrating vessels), makes for slow healing and risk of avascular necrosis. The tarsal bones (collectively, the tarsus) sit between the bottom of tibia and fibula and the metatarsus; the joint between is ankle.
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