What Is the Neck of Talus?

The bones are an essential part of the body’s musculoskeletal system. Without them, the human body would lack form, definition, and the ability to move in a coordinated fashion. Each part of the body is made up of several bones linked together. The bones of the feet, for example, consist of a collection of twenty six different bones. The talus bone, considered to be a bone of the foot, is the connection point between the lower leg and the ankle, consisting of three separate sections: the head, body, and neck of talus.

The neck of talus is situated between the body and the head of the bone. Its rough surface serves as an attachment site for ligaments, flexible yet tough bands of connective tissue that join bones to bones. The coarse lateral concave surface of the neck of talus contains a deep indentation or groove. This is the site where the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament runs to attach the calcaneous or heel bone to the talus.

The body of talus is the area where the lower leg bones — the tibia on the medial side and the fibula on the lateral side — connect to the ankle. The spot where these bones adjoin form two bony projections or bulges on either side of the ankle. The neck of talus is responsible for joining the lower leg to the heel, ankle, and foot.

As a result of its intricate role in joining the lower leg to the foot, the head, body and neck of talus play an important role in the movement of the foot and ankle. Where the talus connects with the ankle, this bone aids in the ability of the foot and ankle to move up toward the body — a motion called dorsiflexion — and in the foot and ankle to point toes downwards, called plantarflexion. The attachment of the heel bone to the neck of talus provides the foot and ankle with the ability to move inward and outward, in movements known as inversion and eversion, respectively.

Since the talus bone is situated between the leg, the heel, and the rest of the bones of the foot, it does not receive significant blood supply. Therefore, an injury to the head, body, or neck of talus — like a fracture or break in the bone — may result in a prolonged healing process. Complications may include months of immobility and the inability to bear weight on the affected foot.