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Metatarsals

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Introduction

Inferior view of the bones of the foot[1]
Anatomy of the foot, including the metatarsals[2]
Anatomy of the foot and ankle.[3]
A photograph of the left and right-side metatarsal bones showing the location of nutrient foramina. The two dashed lines divides the metatarsals into the proximal, middle and distal thirds. Arrows are pointing at the nutrient foramina located in the middle third of different surfaces of the metatarsal bones. MT 1, first metatarsal; MT 2, second metatarsal; MT 3, third metatarsal; MT 4, fourth metatarsal; MT 5, fifth metatarsal[4]

Other Names

  • Metatarsals
  • Ossa Metatarsalia

General

  • Skeletal component of the foot between the tarsus and the foot phalanges
  • Numbered 1 to 5 from medial to lateral

Anatomic Description

  • Each metatarsal has a base, shaft and head (sometimes termed distal extremity)
  • Prismoid shaped, wider at base, taper distally

1st metatarsal

2nd metatarsal

  • Longest of the metatarsal bones
  • Slotted between the 3 cuneiform bones proximally

3rd/ 4th metatarsal

5th metatarsal

Actions

  • There is a complex joint interaction affected by metatarsal topography, orientation, and kinematics
  • 1st metatarsal carries twice the load of each of the lesser metatarsals during the stance phase of gait
  • Contribute to extension of the longitudinal arch during stance loading and flexing of forefoot during push-off phase[5]
  • Dictate distal arch rotation in relation to foot pronation and supination[6]

Vascular Supply

  • Branches of[7]
    • The plantar and dorsal metatarsal arteries
    • First plantar metatarsal artery
    • Nutrient branch vessels
  • Watershed area of 5th metatarsal
    • About 1.5 cm distal to the tuberosity
    • Area with overall poor blood flow

Innervation


Clinical Significance


See Also


References

  1. Wong, Wai Chi. "Biomechanics of hallux valgus and evaluation of interventions." (2014).
  2. Soltanzadeh, Zeynab, et al. "Effect of socks structures on plantar dynamic pressure distribution." Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine 230.11 (2016): 1043-1050.
  3. Houghton, Kristin M. "Review for the generalist: evaluation of pediatric foot and ankle pain." Pediatric Rheumatology 6.1 (2008): 6.
  4. Manjatika, Arthur Tsalani, Pedzisai Mazengenya, and Joshua Gabriel Davimes. "Topographical anatomy and clinical implications of the metatarsal diaphyseal nutrient foramina across South African populations." Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 45.10 (2023): 1213-1226.
  5. Scott S and Winter D. Biomechanical model of the human foot: kinematics and kinetics during stance phase of walking. J Biomech 1993; 26: 1091–1104.
  6. Lundberg A. Kinematics of the ankle and foot. In vivo roentgen stereophotogrammetry. Acta Orthop Scand Suppl 1989; 233: 1–24.
  7. Rath B, Notermans HP, Franzen J, et al. The microvascular anatomy of the metatarsal bones: a plastination study. Surg Radiol Anat 2009; 31: 271–277.
Created by:
John Kiel on 25 October 2021 15:55:26
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Last edited:
19 August 2025 18:48:34
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