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Metatarsal bones

The metatarsal bones (Latin: metatarsus, ossa metatarsi, ossa metatarsalia) are also known as the metatarsals. They are a group of five bones that form the middle part of the bones located in the foot. The metatarsal bones are positioned between the proximal located tarsal bones and distally located phalanges. The metatarsal bones are analogous to the metacarpal bones found in hand.

Human foot, Bones of foot, Foot skeleton, Tarsals, Talus, Calcaneus, Navicular bone, Cuneiforms, Lateral cuneiform, Medial cuneiform, Intermediate (middle) cuneiform, Metatarsals, Phalanges, Proximal phalanges, Intermediate (middle) phalanges, Distal phalanges, Dorsal view of foot, Superior view of foot, Dorsal surface of foot, Human skeleton, Skeleton of lower limb
Bones of foot by Anatomy.app
Human foot, Foot bones, Skeleton of foot, Foot skeleton, Metatarsal bones, First metatarsal, Second metatarsal, Third metatarsal, Fourth metatarsal, Fifth metatarsal, Medial view, Lateral view, Dorsal view, Superior view, Plantar view, Inferior view, Skeleton of the lower limb
Metatarsal bones by Anatomy.app

All metatarsal bones lack individual names. Every metatarsal bone has a number, and they are numbered from the medial side of the foot - the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal bone.

Human foot, Bones of foot, Foot skeleton, Metatarsals, First metatarsal, Second metatarsal, Third metatarsal, Fourth metatarsal, Fifth metatarsal, Dorsal view of foot, Superior view of foot, Dorsal surface of foot, Human skeleton, Skeleton of lower limb
Metatarsal bones by Anatomy.app

Between two metatarsal bones is present a space called the interosseous metatarsal space. The metatarsal bones are classified as the long bones, and as every long bone, each metatarsal bone consists of:

  • Base - at the proximal end;
  • Body or shaft - the middle part of each bone;
  • Head - at the distal end.
Human foot, Foot bones, Foot skeleton, Human skeleton, Metatarsal bones, Parts of metatarsals, Base, Body, Head
Metatarsal bones (parts) by Anatomy.app

 

Base

The bases or proximal extremities of the metatarsal bones form several joints. Proximally they articulate with the tarsal bones creating tarsometatarsal joints. The sides of the bases articulate with the adjacent bases and form the intermetatarsal joints. The dorsal and plantar surfaces of the bases are rough and serve as attachment sites for ligaments.

 

Body

The body or shaft of each metatarsal bone appears prismoid-shaped and slightly curved. It is concave on the dorsal surface and slightly convex on the plantar surface. The body extends between the base and the head of the bone.

 

Head

The head or the distal extremity of each metatarsal bone presents a convex articular surface that articulates with the base of the proximal phalanx. These articulations between metatarsal bones and proximal phalanges form the metatarsophalangeal joints. The sides of the heads serve as attachment sites for ligaments. The plantar surfaces of the heads contain grooves for the passage of the flexor tendons.