Metatarsal bones

The metatarsal bones or metatarsus (: metatarsi) are a group of five long bones in the midfoot, located between the tarsal bones (which form the heel and the ankle) and the phalanges ( toes). Lacking individual names, the metatarsal bones are numbered from the medial side (the side of the great toe): the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal (often depicted with Roman numerals). The metatarsals are analogous to the metacarpal bones of the hand. The lengths of the metatarsal bones in humans are, in descending order, second, third, fourth, fifth, and first. A bovine hind leg has two metatarsals.

Structure

The five metatarsals are dorsal convex long bones consisting of a shaft or body, a base ( proximally), and a head ( distally).Platzer 2004, p. 220 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 distal 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.Gray's 1918, ''6d. 2. The Metatarsus''

During growth, the growth plates are located distally on the metatarsals, except on the first metatarsal where it is located proximally. Yet it is quite common to have an accessory growth plate on the distal first metatarsal.

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.Platzer 2004, p. 218
* 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.

Muscle attachments

Clinical significance

Injuries

The metatarsal bones are often broken by association football (soccer) players. These and other recent cases have been attributed to the lightweight design of modern football boots, which provide less protection to the foot. In 2010 some football players began testing a new sock that incorporated a rubber silicone pad over the foot to provide protection to the top of the foot. Stress fractures are thought to account for 16% of injuries related to sports participation, and the metatarsals are the bones most often involved. These fractures are sometimes called march fractures, based on their traditional association with military recruits after long marches. The second and third metatarsals are fixed while walking, thus these metatarsals are common sites of injury. The fifth metatarsal may be fractured if the foot is oversupinated during locomotion.

Protection from injuries can be given by the use of safety footwear which can use built-in or removable metatarsal guards.

Additional images

Image:Footx.jpg, X-ray of foot.
Image:Gray290 - Mratatarsus.png, Skeleton of left foot. Medial aspect.
Image:Gray360.png, Oblique section of left intertarsal and tarsometatarsal articulations, showing the synovial cavities.
File:Slide2xzxzx.JPG, Ankle and tarsometarsal joints, showing bones of foot. Deep dissection.
File:Nitti MetatarsalGuard.jpg, alt=Nitti Safety Footwear with removable metatarsal guard., Safety footwear with removable metatarsal guard.

See also

* Arches of the foot
* Ball (foot)
* Bone terminology
* Terms for anatomical location
* Jones fracture
* Lisfranc injury
* Morton's toe

Notes

References

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External links

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{{Authority control

Bones of the lower limb
Bones of the foot