| Metatarsal bones | |
|---|---|
 Skeleton of foot. Superior view. Metatarsals shown in green | |
 Skeleton of left foot. Lateral aspect. Metatarsals shown in purple | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | metatarsus pl. ossa metatarsi (also: ossa metatarsalia) |
| MeSH | D008682 |
| TA98 | A02.5.17.001 |
| TA2 | 1495 |
| FMA | 71340 |
| Anatomical terms of bone | |
Themetatarsal bones ormetatarsus (pl.:metatarsi) are a group of fivelong bones in themidfoot, located between thetarsal bones (which form theheel and theankle) and thephalanges (toes). Lacking individual names, the metatarsal bones are numbered from themedial side (the side of thegreat toe): thefirst,second,third,fourth, andfifth metatarsal (often depicted withRoman numerals). The metatarsals are analogous to themetacarpal bones of thehand. The lengths of the metatarsal bones in humans are, in descending order, second, third, fourth, fifth, and first.[1] A bovine hind leg has two metatarsals.[2]
The five metatarsals aredorsal convexlong bones consisting of a shaft or body, a base (proximally), and a head (distally).[3] The body is prismoid in form, tapers gradually from thetarsal to thephalangeal extremity, and is curved longitudinally, so as to be concave below, slightly convex above. The base orposterior extremity iswedge-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 ofligaments. 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 atubercle, for ligamentous attachment. Itsplantar surface is grooved antero-posteriorly for the passage of the flexortendons, and marked on either side by an articular eminence continuous with the terminal articular surface.[4]
During growth, thegrowth 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.[5]
The base of each metatarsal bone articulates with one or more of the tarsal bones at thetarsometatarsal joints, and the head with one of the first row of phalanges at themetatarsophalangeal joints. Their bases also articulate with each other at theintermetatarsal joints
 |  |
| Muscle | Direction | Attachment[7] |
| Tibialis anterior | Insertion | Basis offirst metatarsal |
| Peroneous tertius | Insertion | Dorsal side basis offifth metatarsal |
| Peroneous longus | Insertion | Tuberosity offirst metatarsal |
| Peroneous brevis | Insertion | Tuberosity offifth metatarsal |
| Horizontal head ofadductor hallucis | Origin | Deeptransverse metatarsal ligament |
| Flexor digiti minimi brevis | Origin | Basis offifth metatarsal |
| Plantar interossei | Origin | Medial side ofthird,fourth andfifth metatarsal |
| Dorsal interossei | Origin | First tofifth metatarsal |
The metatarsal bones are often broken byassociation football (soccer) players. These and other recent cases have been attributed to the lightweight design of modernfootball 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.[8] 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 calledmarch 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 isoversupinated during locomotion.[9]
Protection from injuries can be given by the use ofsafety footwear which can use built-in or removable metatarsal guards.
