Metatarsals
Original Editor - Shejza Mino
Top Contributors - Shejza Mino, Lucinda hampton, Kim Jackson, Vidya Acharya and Wendy Snyders
Introduction[edit | edit source]
The metatarsals refer to five long bones that are located in each foot. They are numbered 1 to 5, from medial to lateral.
Together, the metatarsal and tarsal bones help to form the arches of the foot, which are essential for weight-bearing as well as walking.
Gross Anatomy & Structure[edit | edit source]
The metatarsal bones start at the tarsus and end at the phalanges, forming two joints: the tarsometatarsal joint & metatarsolphalangeal joint.
Each of the metatarsal bones consists of the following:
- proximal base
- shaft (aka body)
- neck
- distal head
Articulations[edit | edit source]
Each base of the metatarsal bone articulates with at least one of the tarsal bones, forming the tarsometatarsal joints. The head of the metatarsals articulate with the phalanges, making up the metatarsalphalangeal joints. Additionally, the base of the metatarsals also articulates with the base of the adjacent metatarsal, forming the intermetatarsal joints.
| Bone (metatarsal) | Proximal articulation | Distal articulation |
|---|---|---|
| Metatarsal 1 | medial cuneiform | 1st proximal phalanx |
| Metatarsal 2 | medial, intermediate & lateral cuneiforms | 2nd proximal phalanx |
| Metatarsal 3 | lateral cuneiform | 3rd proximal phalanx |
| Metatarsal 4 | cuboid | 4th proximal phalanx |
| Metatarsal 5 | cuboid | 5th proximal phalanx |
Attachments[edit | edit source]
Musculotendinous[edit | edit source]
Ligamentous[edit | edit source]
Relations[edit | edit source]
Vascular[edit | edit source]
Nervous[edit | edit source]
Muscular[edit | edit source]
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Structural Considerations[edit | edit source]
Injury[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
- bulleted list
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- numbered list
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