Tiger Cubs Need MILK Continuously
Tarsal Bones of the Ankle
NEETNEET-PGAIIMS
Items to Memorize
- Calcaneus (heel bone)
- Talus (ankle bone)
- Navicular (boat-shaped)
- Medial Cuneiform
- Intermediate Cuneiform
- Lateral Cuneiform
- Cuboid
Mnemonic Tricks
How It Maps
| Cue | Maps To |
|---|---|
| Tiger | Talus |
| Cubs | Calcaneus |
| Need | Navicular |
| M(ILK) | Medial Cuneiform, Intermediate Cuneiform, Lateral Cuneiform |
| Continuously | Cuboid |
Why It Sticks
Baby tigers drinking milk — an adorable image that anchors the proximal-to-distal order. 'MILK' packs the three cuneiforms (Medial, Intermediate, Lateral) into one memorable word.
You're standing on your HEEL (Calcaneus). On top sits the TALUS — the only tarsal bone that articulates with the leg bones. Moving forward, a BOAT (Navicular = boat in Latin) carries three WEDGES (Cuneiforms: Medial, Intermediate, Lateral) and a CUBE (Cuboid) to the metatarsals.
Why It Sticks
Following the actual anatomy from heel to toes — each bone's Latin name becomes a physical object you walk through in sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tarsal bones are in each foot?
Each foot has 7 tarsal bones: Calcaneus, Talus, Navicular, Cuboid, and 3 Cuneiforms (Medial, Intermediate, Lateral). Together they form the ankle and rear/midfoot.
Which is the largest tarsal bone?
The Calcaneus (heel bone) is the largest tarsal bone. It bears most of the body weight during standing and is a common site for stress fractures.
What is the difference between carpal and tarsal bones?
Carpal bones are in the wrist (8 bones, 2 rows of 4). Tarsal bones are in the ankle/foot (7 bones). Despite the similar names, their arrangement differs. Carpal = wrist, Tarsal = ankle.
Which tarsal bone articulates with the tibia?
The Talus is the only tarsal bone that articulates with the leg bones (tibia and fibula), forming the ankle joint. It sits on top of the Calcaneus.
Are tarsal bones asked in NEET-PG?
Yes — questions on tarsal bone number, the largest bone (Calcaneus), the keystone of the arch (Navicular/Cuboid), and which bone articulates with tibia (Talus) are common.