<P> In addition to the longitudinal arches the foot presents a series of transverse arches . </P> <P> At the posterior part of the metatarsus and the anterior part of the tarsus the arches are complete, but in the middle of the tarsus they present more the characters of half - domes, the concavities of which are directed downward and medialward, so that when the medial borders of the feet are placed in apposition a complete tarsal dome is formed . The transverse arch is composed of the three cuneiforms, the cuboid, and the five metatarsal bases . The transverse arch is strengthened by the interosseous, plantar, and dorsal ligaments, by the short muscles of the first and fifth toes (especially the transverse head of the Adductor hallucis), and by the Peronæus longus, whose tendon stretches across between the piers of the arches . </P> <P> The medial longitudinal arch in particular creates a space for soft tissues with elastic properties, which act as springs, particularly the thick plantar aponeurosis, passing from the heel to the toes . Because of their elastic properties, these soft tissues can spread ground contact reaction forces over a longer time period, and thus reduce the risk of musculoskeletal wear or damage, and they can also store the energy of these forces, returning it at the next step and thus reducing the cost of walking and, particularly, running, where vertical forces are higher . </P> <P> The anatomy and shape of a person's longitudinal and transverse arch can dictate the types of injuries to which that person is susceptible . The height of a person's arch is determined by the height of the navicular bone . Collapse of the longitudinal arches results in what is known as flat feet . A person with a low longitudinal arch, or flat feet will likely stand and walk with their feet in a supinated position, where the foot everts or rolls inward . This makes the person susceptible to heel pain, arch pain and plantar fasciitis . Flat footed people may also have more difficulty performing exercises that require supporting their weight on their toes . </P>

Discuss the arches of the foot and point out the functional importance of each