[7] Behind the trochlea is a posterior process with a medial and a lateral tubercle separated by a groove for the tendon of the flexor hallucis longus.

Exceptionally, the lateral of these tubercles forms an independent bone called os trigonum or accessory talus; it may represent the tarsale proximale intermedium.

The head of talus looks forward and medialward; its anterior articular or navicular surface is large, oval, and convex.

[8] The medial, situated in front of the middle calcaneal facet, is convex, triangular, or semi-oval in shape, and rests on the plantar calcaneonavicular ligament; the lateral, named the anterior calcaneal articular surface, is somewhat flattened, and articulates with the facet on the upper surface of the anterior part of the calcaneus.

[8] The neck of talus is directed anteromedially, and comprises the constricted portion of the bone between the body and the oval head.

It presents with five surfaces; a superior, inferior, medial, lateral and a posterior:[8] During the 7th to 8th intrauterine month an ossification center is formed in the anklebone.

In case a talus fracture is accompanied by a dislocation, restoration of articular and axial alignment is necessary to optimize ankle and hindfoot function.

Modern Mongolians still use such bones as shagai for games and fortune-telling, with each piece relating to a symbolic meaning.

This reaches its greatest extent in artiodactyls, where the distal surface of the bone has a smooth keel to allow greater freedom of movement of the foot, and thus increase running speed.