Foot of a Human Male Affected by Arthritis, Dorsal View

Description

Dorsal anatomy of an adult male foot is rendered as a skeletal model, with the phalanges aligned distal to the metatarsals and the tarsus forming the proximal midfoot and hindfoot. The metatarsophalangeal joints are highlighted along the distal metatarsal heads, while the interphalangeal joints sit progressively distal within each digit. Proximally, the navicular and cuneiforms lie medial to the cuboid, and the talus sits superior to the calcaneus; a posterior cut surface through the calcaneus exposes cancellous bone within the heel. Arthritic change is emphasized at the metatarsophalangeal level, a common site for painful synovitis and osteoarthritic degeneration that alters toe-off mechanics and drives compensatory loading through the midfoot. Hallux rigidus at the first metatarsophalangeal joint often presents clinically with dorsal osteophytes and reduced dorsiflexion, which is why a dorsal perspective is the quickest way to teach joint-line narrowing and contour change at the metatarsal head. The cutaway calcaneus also supports discussion of subchondral bone response and why hindfoot pain can coexist with forefoot arthritis. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and musculoskeletal modules to orient learners to the tarsometatarsal, metatarsophalangeal, and interphalangeal joint chain, or in rheumatology and orthopaedic teaching to illustrate clinical patterns of forefoot arthritis and hallux rigidus. It also fits podiatry patient education, journal figures on pedal osteoarthritis, and surgical planning overviews for cheilectomy or first MTP arthrodesis. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.