v.] 



SKELETON OF LOWER LIMB. 



185 



The astragalus x receives the weight of the trunk from the 

 tibia, and is a short irregularly shaped bone, with a " body, 

 neck, and head." 



In its natural position, when the foot is on the ground, the 

 upper surface of the body of the astragalus is nearly hori- 

 zontal for articulation with the under surface of the shaft of 

 the tibia. Two other articular surfaces, almost at right angles 

 with the former, join the two malleoli respectively. The pos- 



FIG. 157. DORSUM, OK UPPER SURFACE, OF SKELETON OF RIGHT FOOT. 

 a, astragalus ; c 1 , ento-cuneiforme ; c z , meso-cuneiforme ; c 3 ,'ecto-cuneiforme ; 

 ca, calcaneum ; co, cuboides ; h, distal phalanx of hallux ; m T , metatarsal of 

 nallux ; m 2 m 5 , metatarsals of the four outer toes ; , naviculare. 



terior surface of the body is grooved for the tendon of the 

 flexor longus pollicis muscle. The anterior part of the bone 

 is prolonged forwards as its neck, ending in a rounded, con- 

 vex, articular . surface (the head), which fits into the hinder 

 surface of the naviculare. 



1 'Acr-pa-yaAof, a die. 



