Human Foot Set Model

Quick Answer: The Human Foot Set Model is a set of foot models used together to teach the bones and arches of the foot and to compare foot shapes. Such sets commonly contrast a normal arch with a flat foot and a high-arched foot, and the pieces in this human foot set model should be confirmed before ordering.

The Arches of the Foot

Each foot has 26 bones: seven tarsals, including the talus and calcaneus, five metatarsals and fourteen phalanges. They form three arches. The medial longitudinal arch is the high one along the inner side, running from the heel through the navicular and cuneiforms to the first three metatarsal heads; the lateral longitudinal arch is lower and flatter; and the transverse arch runs across the midfoot. Ligaments, the plantar fascia and muscles hold the arches up while letting them flatten slightly to absorb each step.

A foot set makes the differences between foot types visible. In pes planus, or flat foot, the medial arch is low or absent and the heel often tilts outward; in pes cavus, the arch is unusually high and weight is concentrated on the heel and forefoot. Placing models side by side, or comparing them with students’ own wet footprints, shows why each type changes pressure, shoe wear and the risk of certain injuries.

The listing names a foot set but not its pieces, scale or material. Sets of this kind commonly include normal, flat and high-arched feet, but some are skeletal and some show muscles or skin, so check what this set contains. The leg bone model with blood vessels continues the lower limb above the ankle.

Applications

• Anatomy and physiotherapy lessons on the bones and arches of the foot
• Podiatry and sports-science teaching on flat foot, high arch and footwear
• Classroom footprint investigations comparing students’ arches with the models
• Explaining the plantar fascia and heel pain in health education

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Keep each model in the foot set in its own labelled place so normal and altered feet are not confused.
• Clean with a soft brush and a damp cloth; small toe bones and ligament joins are easily snagged by rough fabric.
• Rest the feet on their soles on a flat shelf; storing them on their sides can bend thin toe sections over time.

Why Choose LabEquip

Podiatry courses, physiotherapy colleges and school biology departments use foot sets to turn a familiar body part into a study of structure and function. LabEquip lists this set under biology lab products; use the contact page to check which feet it contains.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bones are in the human foot?

Twenty-six: seven tarsal bones, five metatarsals and fourteen phalanges. Small sesamoid bones under the big toe are sometimes counted separately.

What is flat foot?

Flat foot, or pes planus, is a low or collapsed medial arch, so most of the sole touches the ground. It is common and often causes no problem, but some people get pain in the arch, ankle or knee.

What is a high-arched foot?

Pes cavus is an unusually high medial arch. Less of the sole touches the ground, so pressure concentrates on the heel and the ball of the foot, which can cause pain and calluses.

How can students test their own arch?

Use the wet footprint test: wet the sole, stand on paper or a dark tile and look at the print. A wide print with no inner curve suggests a low arch, while a thin band between heel and forefoot suggests a high arch.

What does the plantar fascia do?

It is a thick band of tissue from the heel to the toes that supports the medial arch. When the big toe bends up during walking it tightens and raises the arch, a mechanism called the windlass effect.

Why do arches matter in shoe choice?

Arch type affects how the foot rolls and where pressure falls. People with flat feet may need more support under the arch, and those with high arches often need more cushioning.

Last Updated: September 2026