Metatarsal bone

Metatarsal bones 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 medial side (the side of the big toe): the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal (often depicted with Roman numerals).

Structure

The metatarsal bones are dorsally convex long bones consisting of a shaft or body, a base, and a head. 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.

First metatarsal

The first metatarsal bone is the thickest, and the shortest of the metatarsal bones. The body of the first metatarsal is large and strong, and of prismatic form. Its base presents, as a rule, no articular facets on its sides.

Second metatarsal

The second metatarsal bone is the longest of the metatarsal bones, being prolonged backward into the recess formed by the three cuneiform bones. Its base is broad above, narrow and rough below.

Third metatarsal

The third metatarsal bone is a little smaller than the second. The head is rounded, and on its plantar surface are two grooves, separated by a ridge, for the tendons of the Flexor hallucis brevis.

Fourth metatarsal

The fourth metatarsal bone is smaller in size than the preceding; its base is broad, and articulates behind, by means of a triangular surface, with the cuboid; medially, with the third metatarsal; laterally, with the fifth metatarsal.

Fifth metatarsal

The fifth metatarsal bone is recognized by a rough eminence, the tuberosity, on the lateral side of its base. This tuberosity is the point of insertion of the tendon of the Fibularis brevis.

Clinical significance

Injuries to the metatarsal bones are common and can be either acute or chronic, the latter being due to overuse. A common injury is a stress fracture, where small cracks in the bone materialize from repetitive activities. Another is a Jones fracture, which is a fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal.

See also

• Foot
• Bone fracture
• Jones fracture

References

Metatarsal bone Resources
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