Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Tarsus (skeleton)
In tetrapods, the tarsi are the cluster of bones in the foot between the tibia and fibula and the metatarsus. The bones of the tarsus do not belong to individual toes, whereas those of the metatarsus do. The joint between the tibia and fibula and the tarsus is called the ankle. One of the bones is the calcaneus or heel. The corresponding part of the hand is the carpus.
Most long-footed tetrapods have an elongated metatarsus. The tarsier instead has an elongated tarsus, hence the name.
In insects, the tarsi are the short segments which appear in series after the tibia. It is the part that functions as the foot.
Last updated: 07-15-2005 04:16:06
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details