Which bone does the distal end of the tibia articulate with?

The distal end of the tibia articulates with the talus bone, making this the correct answer. This joint formation is part of the ankle joint, which plays a critical role in weight-bearing and mobility. The tibia, being one of the two main bones of the lower leg, connects to the talus at the ankle, allowing for movements such as dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.

The talus sits above the calcaneus and connects with the fibula as well, contributing to the overall stability and function of the ankle. Understanding the anatomical relationships between these bones is essential in fields like pedorthics, where knowledge of foot biomechanics is vital for assessing and designing interventions for foot and lower limb problems.

While the calcaneus, navicular, and cuboid are important bones in the foot, they do not directly articulate with the distal end of the tibia. The calcaneus is located posterior to the talus and serves primarily as the heel bone. The navicular sits medially in the foot and is part of the midfoot, while the cuboid is positioned laterally; neither is involved in the direct articulation with the distal tibia.