tar·sus / ˈtärsəs/ • n. (pl. tar·si / ˈtärsī; -sē/ ) 1. Anat. a group of small bones between the main part of the hind limb and the metatarsus in terrestrial vertebrates. The seven bones of the human tarsus form the ankle and upper part of the foot. They are the talus, calcaneus, navicular, and cuboid and the three cuneiform bones. ∎  Zool. the shank or tarsometatarsus of the leg of a bird or reptile. ∎  Zool. the foot or fifth joint of the leg of an insect or other arthropod, typically consisting of several small segments and ending in a claw. 2. Anat. a thin sheet of fibrous connective tissue which supports the edge of each eyelid.

Tarsus (tär´səs, Turk. tärsŏŏs´), city (1990 pop. 191,333), S Turkey, in Cilicia, on the Tarsus (anc. Cydnus) River, near the Mediterranean Sea. It is an agricultural trade center; copper, zinc, chromium, and coal are mined in the region. Ancient Tarsus, first mentioned in the 8th cent. BC, was the capital of Cilicia and one of the most important cities of Asia Minor. It reached the height of its prosperity and cultural achievement under Roman rule. The city was destroyed by the Arabs c.AD 660 and was rebuilt by them in the 780s. It was captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1515. The apostle Paul was born there.

tarsus
1. In an insect, one of a number of small segments distal to the tibia, with which the uppermost tarsus articulates. The tarsus is made up of two-five segments and terminates in the pretarsus. The muscles operating the tarsi are located in the tibia, and operate through the agency of tendons.

2. In birds, the lower long bone of the leg.

3. In Mammalia, the collection of bones forming the ankle.

4. In vertebrates, a plate of connective tissue in the eyelid.

tarsus (tar-sŭs) n. (pl. tarsi)
1. the seven bones of the ankle and proximal part of the foot (see illustration). The tarsus articulates with the metatarsals distally and with the tibia and fibula proximally.

2. the firm fibrous connective tissue that forms the basis of each eyelid.

tarsus The ankle (or corresponding part of the hindlimb) in terrestrial vertebrates, consisting of a number of small bones (tarsals). The number of tarsal bones varies with the species: humans, for example, have seven.

Tarsus an ancient city in southern Turkey, the capital of Cilicia and the birthplace of St Paul1, originally known as Saul of Tarsus.

tarsus (anat.) posterior parts of the foot. XVII. — Gr. tarsós flat of the foot.

tarsus •Crassus, Halicarnassus, Lassus •tarsus •nexus, plexus, Texas •Paracelsus •census, consensus •Croesus • narcissus • Ephesus •Dionysus • colossus • Pegasus •Caucasus • petasus •excursus, thyrsus, versus