January+MDA

=Tarsals= 1/30/15

Among the over 200 bones in our body the tarsals are some. These are bones of the feet at the point of which we would call our heel. Similar to the hand (carpals and metocarpals), there are metatarsals in the mid points of our feet.

The tarsals are seven irregularly shaped bones at the heel of our foot. They are in the "ankle area" of the foot, or close to the ankle joint. Although they are irregularly shaped these bones are arranged in three rows. Those rows are proximal, intermediate, and distal. Around the ankle is the proximal tarsals which consist of the talus and calcaneus. Of all the tarsals the talus is the most superior. The talus transmits forces from the tibia to the calcaneus otherwise known as the heel bone. Many ligaments attach to the talus although muscles do not. In the intermediate row there is only one tarsal bone. That bone is the navicular. In the distal row there are four tarsal bones. Those bones are the cuboid and the three cuneiforms, lateral, intermediate, and medial.

Although confusing, the bones in the body are fascinating and that includes these bones in my opinion. The tarsals are not well known, well they may be but not the specifics, so adding to the knowledgeable population is always useful.

=Carpals= 1/30/15

The carpals are bones of the hand. There are eight irregularly shaped carpals in the hand. The bones close to this is, the metacarpals, ulna, and radius. The term for wrist is carpus. When thought of it sounds very much like carpals and may help provide remembrance of the fact that the carpals support and make the wrist joint. Similar to the tarsals the carpals are organized in two rows. The two rows each have four carpals. The proximal row which is closer to the ulna and radius than the metacarpals is a row, although it is not straight. The bones in the proximal row include the scaphoid, lunate, pisiform, and the triquetrum bone. In the distal row closer to the metacarpals there are the trapezium bone, trapezoid bone, capitate bone, and the hamate bone. Each of the carpals is multifaced and is unique in shape, these two characteristics allow the carpals to articulate with other bones. The carpal bones help to make our wrist joint and use it. The carpals allow a variety of movements with our hands. These are very useful bones in my opinion.