ArticlesAnatomyLower limbAnkle and footMetatarsal bones

ArticlesAnatomyLower limbAnkle and footMetatarsal bones

Metatarsal bones

Author: Charlotte O'Leary, BSc, MBChB • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 8 minutes

The metatarsal bones are a group of five long bones located in the metatarsus of the foot, between the tarsal bones (near the ankle) and the phalanges (toe bones). These bones are numbered from one to five, starting with the first metatarsal beneath the big toe and moving laterally towards the fifth metatarsal beneath the little toe.

Each metatarsal bone has three distinct parts: a proximal base that articulates with the tarsal bones, a slender shaft in the middle, and a distal head that connects to the proximal phalanges of the toes.

The metatarsals play a vital role in forming the arches of the foot, that are essential for weight bearing, balance, and walking.

Key facts about the metatarsal bones
Definition	Five long bones (I to V) in the foot, between the tarsal bones and the phalanges.
Joints	Tarsometatarsal, metatarsophalangeal, and intermetatarsal joint
Function	Support body weight, help form foot arches, and facilitate balance and walking

Contents

Anatomy
Joints
Function
Clinical notes
Sources

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Anatomy

First metatarsal

The first metatarsal is the thickest and shortest of the metatarsals. At the base there are normally no facets but sometimes there is a facet laterally, where it articulates with the second metatarsal. Proximally, it articulates with the medial cuneiform at the base. Here, there is a tuberosity medially. The shaft is strong and a prismoid shape. Distally, there are two grooved facets where the two (hallucal) sesamoid bones articulate on the plantar surface. The hallucal sesamoids are always present at the plantar aspect of the first metatarsal head, and are a constant in humans. The shaft articulates distally with the 1st proximal phalanx.

The muscle attachments of the first metatarsal are the following:

Base – tibialis anterior and fibularis longus muscles
Tuberosity – fibularis longus muscle
Lateral part – 1st dorsal interosseus muscle

Second metatarsal

The second metatarsal is the longest of the metatarsals and has four articular facets at its base. These articulate with the medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiforms as well as the third metatarsal. Occasionally there is a medial facet at the base, which articulates with the first metatarsal. Distally, it articulates with the 2nd proximal phalanx.

The muscle attachments of the second metatarsal are the following:

Medial shaft – 1st dorsal interosseus muscle
Lateral shaft – 2nd dorsal interosseus muscle

Third metatarsal

The third metatarsal has a triangular base, which articulates proximally with the lateral cuneiform. Medially it has two facets where it articulates with the second metatarsal and laterally it articulates with the fourth metatarsal by a single facet. The head articulates with the 3rd proximal phalanx.

The muscle attachments of the third metatarsal are the following:

Medial shaft – 2nd dorsal interosseus and 1st plantar interosseus muscles
Lateral shaft – 3rd dorsal interosseus muscle

Fourth metatarsal

The fourth metatarsal is smaller than the third and has 3 articular facets at its base. Proximally, it has a quadrilateral facet, which articulates with the cuboid. There is an oval facet medially which articulates with the third metatarsal and there is another single facet on the lateral surface for articulation of the fifth metatarsal. Distally, the head articulates with the 4th proximal phalanx.

The muscle attachments of the fourth metatarsal are the following:

Medial shaft – 3rd dorsal interosseus and 2nd plantar interosseus muscles
Lateral shaft – 4th dorsal interosseus muscle

Fifth metatarsal

The fifth metatarsal has a tuberosity lateral to the base, which can be both seen and felt on the lateral border of the foot. The base articulates with the cuboid proximally by a triangular surface and medially with the fourth metatarsal. Its head also articulates with the 5th proximal phalanx.

The muscle attachments of the fifth metatarsal are the following:

Dorsal base – Fibularis tertius muscle
Tuberosity – Fibularis brevis muscle
Plantar base – Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle
Medial shaft – 4th dorsal interosseus and 3rd plantar interosseus muscles

Joints

Tarsometatarsal joints

The metatarsals connect the ankle with the toes. They are named I to V from medially to laterally, looking at the dorsal surface of the foot. The metatarsal bones are convex on their dorsal surfaces but concave on their plantar surfaces. The proximal base articulates with one or more of the distal tarsal bones; namely the cuboid and the cuneiform bones. These articulations are known as the tarsometatarsal joints.

Metatarsophalangeal joints

The distal heads articulate with their corresponding proximal phalanx to form the metatarsophalangeal joints. The head of the first metatarsal also articulates with two sesamoid bones on the plantar surface of the foot.

Intermetatarsal joints

In addition, the bases of the metatarsals articulate with each other to form intermetatarsal joints. The smooth areas on the metatarsals that articulate with other bones are known as articular facets.

Function

Along with the calcaneus, the metatarsals are involved in supporting the weight of the body. The metatarsus has 5 main points of contact with the ground:

The head of 1st metatarsal and two sesamoid bones
The head of 2nd metatarsal
The head of 3rd metatarsal
The head of 4th metatarsal
The head of 5th metatarsal

The majority of the load is supported by the thicker 1st metatarsal, with the 2nd-5th metatarsals providing balance and comfort.

Test your knowledge on the bones of the foot with our interactive quiz.

Clinical notes

Fractures

Fractures of the metatarsals are uncommon but occur when a heavy object falls or rolls over the foot. These fractures can also occur in ballet dancers when they lose balance whilst on the tips of their toes. This results in the metatarsals supporting the whole body weight, which may cause a fracture of one or more of the metatarsals.

Gout

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis characterised by high levels of uric acid in the blood and crystal deposits in the joints and surrounding tissues. The metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe is often the first joint affected by gout. Gout can cause tenderness and oedema in this joint. When this joint is affected, it is referred to as podagra. Osteoarthritis can also cause severe pain in this joint.

Hallux valgus

Hallux valgus is a foot deformity characterised by medial deviation of the 1st metatarsal and deviation of the great toe (hallux) laterally. It is often caused by degenerative joint disease or by pressure from footwear. More commonly occurring in females, hallux valgus causes the 1st metatarsal to shift medially and the sesamoid bones to shift laterally. This results in the sesamoid bones lying between the heads of the 1st and 2nd metatarsals. When the surrounding tissues swell, a subcutaneous bursa can form. When this bursa is inflamed this can cause great pain. A painful hallux valgus deformity is referred to as a bunion.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

G.J. Tortora, M.T. Nielsen: Principles Of Human Anatomy, 12th Edition, John Wiley (2012), p. 257-8.
K.L. Moore, A.F. Dalley, A.M.R. Agur: Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 7th Edition, Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health (2014), p. 656-6, 667.
S. Standring: Gray’s Anatomy The Anatomical Basis Of Clinical Practice, 40th Edition, Elsevier Health Sciences UK (2008), p. 1439-50.
R.L. Drake, A. Wayne, A.W.M. Mitchell: Gray’s Anatomy For Students, 2nd Edition, Churchill Livingstone (2010), p.843-4.

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