What are the bones that make up the ankle called?

The bones that make up the ankle are known as the tarsals. This group comprises several small bones that provide support and allow for the complex movements of the foot and ankle. Specifically, the tarsals include the talus, which forms the joint between the foot and the leg, and the calcaneus, which is commonly referred to as the heel bone.

Understanding the tarsals is crucial in beauty therapy, especially when dealing with treatments that involve reflexology or foot massage, where these bones play a significant role in overall foot health and aesthetics. The other terms refer to different groups of bones: metatarsals are the long bones in the foot between the tarsals and phalanges, phalanges are the bones of the toes, and carpals are the bones of the wrist. Each group serves distinct functions within the skeletal system, highlighting the importance of knowing these terms in a beauty therapy context.