Intermetatarsal Joints

Description

(A) Plantar depiction of the intermetatarsal ligamentous structures that link each bone to their adjacent neighbors. (B) Plantar depiction of the zones of the fifth metatarsal fractures.

Joints of the foot including the intermetatarsal joints in purple

Anatomy of the Intermetatarsal Bursae

Name

• Intermetatarsal Joints
• Intermetatarsal Joint
• Metatarsal interspaces
• Metatarsal articulations
• Intermetatarsal articulations

General

• Articulation between the base of the metatarsals
• Base of the first metatarsal not connected to the second by any ligaments
  • In this regard, it resembles the thumb
• The other four metatarsals are stabilized by a series of ligaments

Ligaments

• Dorsal Intermetatarsal Ligaments
• Plantar Intermetatarsal Ligaments
• Interosseous Intermetatarsal Ligaments
• Deep Transverse Metatarsal Ligaments

Synovial Membrane

• Seen between 2nd/3rd and 3rd/4th
• Part of the greater tarsal synovial membrane

Movement

• Limited to slight gliding of the articular surfaces upon one another

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Clinical Significance

Pathology

• Lisfranc Fracture
• Metatarsal Fracture
• Fifth Metatarsal Fracture
• Metatarsal Stress Fracture
• Intermetatarsal Bursitis
• Mortons Neuroma

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See Also

• Foot Anatomy (Main)
• Foot Pain (Main)
• Physical Exam Ankle

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