Metatarsals

The metatarsus or metatarsal bones are a group of five long bones in the foot located between the tarsal bones of the hind- and mid-foot and the phalanges of the toes. Lacking individual names, the metatarsal bones are numbered from the medial side (side of great toe): the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal (often depicted with Roman numerals). The first metatarsal bone is the bone in the foot just behind the big toe. The first metatarsal bone is the shortest of the metatarsal bones and by far the thickest and strongest of them. The metatarsals are analogous to the metacarpal bones of the hand. The length of the metatarsal bones in humans are in falling order; second, third, fourth, fifth and first. Common characteristics The five metatarsals are dorsally convex long bones consisting of a shaft or body, a base, and a head. The body is prismoid in form, tapers gradually from the tarsal to the phalangeal extremity, and is curved longitudinally, so as to be concave below, slightly convex above. The base or posterior extremity is wedge-shaped, articulating proximally with the tarsal bones, and by its sides with the contiguous metatarsal bones: its dorsal and plantar surfaces are rough for the attachment of ligaments. The head or anterior extremity presents a convex articular surface, oblong from above downward, and extending farther backward below than above. Its sides are flattened, and on each is a depression, surmounted by a tubercle, for ligamentous attachment. Its plantar surface is grooved antero-posteriorly for the passage of the flexor tendons, and marked on either side by an articular eminence continuous with the terminal articular surface. Articulations The base of each metatarsal bone articulates with one or more of the tarsal bones at the tarsometatarsal joints, and the head with one of the first row of phalanges at the metatarsophalangeal joints. Their bases also articulate with each other at the intermetatarsal joints The first metatarsal articulates with the medial cuneiform, and to a small extent to the intermediate cuneiform. the second with all three cuneiforms. the third with the lateral cuneiform. the fourth with the lateral cuneiform and the cuboid. The fifth with the cuboid.

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