Tarsus \Tar"sus\, n.; pl. {Tarsi}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? the flat of the foot, the edge of the eyelid. Cf. 2d {Tarse}.] 1. (Anat.) (a) The ankle; the bones or cartilages of the part of the foot between the metatarsus and the leg, consisting in man of seven short bones. (b) A plate of dense connective tissue or cartilage in the eyelid of man and many animals; -- called also {tarsal cartilage}, and {tarsal plate}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The foot of an insect or a crustacean. It usually consists of form two to five joints.