Metatarsals
Metatarsus or Metatarsal bones; situated between the tarsal bones of feet and phalanges of toes, are a cluster of five long bones of feet. Without their common names these bones are named from Medial side (side of great toe) i.e. First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Metatarsal. However their lengths are in descending order i.e. second, third, fourth, fifth and first (an exception).
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Metatarsals
ANATOMY
These five Metatarsals are long and convex in shape, consisting of three parts: Shaft or Body, Base and Head.
- Shaft or Body is prism in shape forming a cone from Tarsal to Phalangeal Extremity.
- Base is joined with tarsal bones proximally and its side with Contiguous Metatarsal Bones. The dorsal and palmar surfaces of base are rough due to the attachment of ligaments.
- Head is a convex joint surface, sides are smooth and on each smooth side is a Tubercle (a rough outgrowth on bone) for the attachment of ligaments.
ARTICULATIONS OR JOINTS
The articulations of Metatarsal joints are as follows.
- First Metatarsal joins with Medial (First) Cuneiform and a little with Middle Cuneiform.
- Second Metatarsal makes joints with all of three Cuneiforms.
- Third Metatarsal joins with Lateral (Third or External) Cuneiforms.
- Fourth Metatarsal attaches to Lateral Cuneiform and Cuboid (Tarsal bone of foot)
- Fifth Metatarsal Joins with Cuboid.
MUSCLE ATTACHMENTS
Eight muscles are attached to Metatarsal bones. These eight muscles in order are as follows.
- Tibialis Interior
- Peroneous Tertius
- Peroneous Longus
- Peroneous Brevis
- Adductor Hallucis
- Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis
- Plantar Interossei
- Dorsal Interossei
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