tarsal

[ tahr-suhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the tarsus of the foot.
2. pertaining to the tarsi of the eyelids.

noun

1. a tarsal bone, joint, or the like.

tarsal

/ ˈtɑːsəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting the tarsus or tarsi

noun

1. a tarsal bone

tarsal

/ tär′səl /

Adjective

1. Relating to or involving the ankle.

Noun

1. Any of the seven bones of the tarsus.

Other Words From

• inter·tarsal adjective
• post·tarsal adjective
• sub·tarsal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarsal¹

First recorded in 1810–20; tars(us) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

But this is from the bug’s tarsal claws, not its mouth, Dr. Urban said.

From New York Times

He had “marked flexure of the carpal and tarsal joints of all four limbs”—that is, hooked legs.

From The New Yorker

The high schoolers and intermediate schoolers also compared notes about collar bones, fibulas, tibias, clavicles, tarsals and other bones found in the human body.

From Washington Times

Shin said the spy agency identified Kim’s condition as tarsal tunnel syndrome, an often painful condition that is caused by the compression of a nerve, sometimes because of a cyst.

From Washington Times

The growth which materialised in May was caused by what is known as "tarsal tunnel syndrome" whereby a nerve is pinched, causing the ankle to swell.

From BBC