The transverse metatarsal ligament is a narrow band which runs across and connects together the heads of all the
metatarsal
The metatarsal bones, or metatarsus, 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 med ...
bones. It is blended anteriorly with the plantar (glenoid) ligaments of the
metatarsophalangeal articulations.
Its plantar surface is concave where the
Flexor tendons run below it. Above it, the tendons of the
Interossei {{short description, Muscles between certain bones
Interossei refer to muscles between certain bones. There are many interossei in a human body. Specific interossei include:
On the hands
* Dorsal interossei muscles of the hand
* Palmar inteross ...
pass to their insertions.
Its homologue in the hand is the
transverse metacarpal ligament, which connects the
metacarpals to each other.
Clinical significance
The
dorsal digital nerves of the foot may be compressed by the transverse metatarsal ligament.
This causes
Morton's neuroma, which causes foot
pain
Pain is a distressing feeling often caused by intense or damaging stimuli. The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, ...
.
See also
*
Deep transverse metacarpal ligament
References
Ligaments of the lower limb
{{ligament-stub