Pelvis & lower limb · Foot
Metatarsal bones
The five metatarsals form the front half of the foot, between the tarsal bones behind and the toe phalanges in front. They are numbered one to five from the big-toe (medial) side, and their heads form the ball of the foot.
- Latin (TA)
- Ossa metatarsi
- Type
- Long bones
- Side
- Paired — right and left
- Model size
- 9.9 cm longest
Showing a right set. Rotate it to inspect every surface; switch sides to practise siding.
3D model: Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0), derived from BodyParts3D © DBCLS (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP). Adapted by PharmaWallah. Credits & licence
Landmarks
3 of 10 marked on the modelTap a landmark to find it on the bones and read what it is.
The expanded proximal end of a metatarsal, wedge-shaped with flat articular facets.
Where: At the back (proximal) end of each metatarsal.
Why it matters: Articulates with the tarsal bones behind (tarsometatarsal joints) and with neighbouring bases at the sides (intermetatarsal joints).
Related: Tarsometatarsal joints.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The slender middle part of each metatarsal.
Where: Between the base and the head; convex above and concave below.
Why it matters: Gives origin to the interosseous muscles; the shafts of the second and third metatarsals are the usual site of stress (march) fractures.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The rounded distal end of a metatarsal.
Where: At the front (distal) end of each metatarsal, under the ball of the foot.
Why it matters: Articulates with the base of a proximal phalanx at the metatarsophalangeal joint; the heads take weight in standing on tiptoe and at push-off.
Related: Metatarsophalangeal joints.
Marked on the model at the point Z-Anatomy places this label.
The shortest, thickest and strongest metatarsal.
Where: On the medial side of the foot, behind the big toe.
Why it matters: Bears a large share of weight at push-off; tibialis anterior and fibularis longus both insert into its base.
Related: Tibialis anterior, fibularis longus.
Viva: Which two muscles insert into the base of the first metatarsal?
The lateral metatarsal, with a large tuberosity on its base.
Where: On the lateral border of the foot, behind the little toe.
Why it matters: Articulates with the cuboid; fibularis brevis and fibularis tertius insert into it.
A large projection from the lateral side of the base of the fifth metatarsal.
Where: Midway along the lateral border of the foot; easily felt.
Why it matters: Insertion of fibularis brevis; it can be pulled off (avulsed) in an inversion injury of the ankle. It also tells you the side of the bone.
Related: Fibularis brevis.
Viva: Which muscle inserts into the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal?
Classification & region
Long bones (miniature long bones): each has a base, a shaft (body) and a head, with a marrow cavity in the shaft, even though they are short.
- First metatarsal bone
- The shortest and thickest; it carries much of the weight at push-off. Its head has two grooves on its plantar surface for the sesamoid bones of flexor hallucis brevis.
- Second metatarsal bone
- Usually the longest; its base is set back between the medial and lateral cuneiforms, which locks it in place and makes it the most stable.
- Third metatarsal bone
- A typical metatarsal, articulating with the lateral cuneiform behind.
- Fourth metatarsal bone
- A typical metatarsal, articulating with the cuboid (and the lateral cuneiform) behind.
- Fifth metatarsal bone
- Articulates with the cuboid; its base has a prominent tuberosity projecting laterally and backwards, felt on the lateral border of the foot.
Hold it in the anatomical position
- Base behind (proximal), head in front (distal).
- The shaft is arched: its dorsal surface is convex and its plantar surface concave.
- The heads are rounded and carry articular surfaces that extend onto the plantar side.
Right or left? Side determination
- Identify the ends: the base is wedge-shaped with flat facets; the head is rounded.
- Put the head in front and the concave plantar surface downwards.
- First metatarsal: the short, stout one with two sesamoid grooves under the head. The fibularis longus tendon inserts into the lateral side of its base, where a small tuberosity lies on the plantar surface towards the lateral side. Held with the head pointing away from you and the plantar surface down, that tuberosity on your right means a right first metatarsal.
- Fifth metatarsal: the tuberosity on its base projects laterally. Held with the head pointing away from you and the plantar surface down, a tuberosity pointing to your right means a right fifth metatarsal.
The second, third and fourth metatarsals look alike and are hard to side or number reliably on their own; a practical usually asks only for the first and fifth.
Check yourself: switch the 3D model to “Left bone” and apply the same steps.
Articulations
- With the cuneiforms and cuboid at the Tarsometatarsal joints — Bases (1st with the medial cuneiform; 2nd with all three cuneiforms; 3rd with the lateral cuneiform; 4th and 5th with the cuboid).
- With the neighbouring metatarsals at the Intermetatarsal joints — Facets on the sides of the bases.
- With the proximal phalanges at the Metatarsophalangeal joints — Heads.
Muscle and ligament attachments
| Structure | Type | Where on the bone |
|---|---|---|
| Tibialis anterior | insertion | Medial side of the base of the first metatarsal (and the medial cuneiform) |
| Fibularis longus | insertion | Lateral side of the base of the first metatarsal (and the medial cuneiform) |
| Fibularis brevis | insertion | Tuberosity of the base of the fifth metatarsal |
| Fibularis tertius | insertion | Dorsal surface of the base of the fifth metatarsal |
| Tibialis posterior | insertion | Slips to the bases of the second to fourth metatarsals |
| Dorsal interossei | origin | Adjacent sides of all five metatarsal shafts |
| Plantar interossei | origin | Medial sides of the third to fifth metatarsals |
| Adductor hallucis (oblique head) | origin | Bases of the second to fourth metatarsals |
| Flexor digiti minimi brevis | origin | Base of the fifth metatarsal |
| Long plantar ligament | ligament | Bases of the lateral metatarsals (from the calcaneus and cuboid) |
Functions
- Form the front part of the longitudinal arches and the transverse arch of the foot.
- Their heads take weight at the ball of the foot in standing, walking and push-off.
- Give attachment to the leg muscles that control the foot (tibialis anterior, the fibulares) and to the small muscles of the sole.
Clinical & practical relevance
- Stress ('march') fractures of the shafts of the second and third metatarsals occur with repeated loading, as in long marches or running.
- Inversion of the foot can avulse the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal through the pull of fibularis brevis.
- A fracture just beyond the tuberosity, at the junction of base and shaft of the fifth metatarsal (Jones fracture), is known for healing slowly.
- Hallux valgus is a lateral deviation of the big toe at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, with the head of the first metatarsal becoming prominent medially (bunion).
- Crush injuries can dislocate the tarsometatarsal joints; the recessed base of the second metatarsal is a key point to check.
Identification tips
- Base behind, head in front, plantar surface concave.
- First = fattest (sesamoid grooves); second = longest and locked in; fifth = tuberosity sticking out laterally.
- Tibialis anterior and fibularis longus meet at the base of the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform — a 'stirrup' under the medial arch.
Common student mistakes
- Counting metatarsals from the little-toe side: they are numbered from the big-toe (medial) side.
- Saying fibularis longus inserts into the fifth metatarsal: it is fibularis brevis (and tertius); longus crosses the sole to the first.
- Putting the head behind: the rounded head is distal.
- Saying the first metatarsal is the longest: it is the shortest and thickest; the second is usually the longest.
Common exam questions
Name the parts of a metatarsal and their articulations.Show answer
Base (tarsometatarsal and intermetatarsal joints), shaft, and head (metatarsophalangeal joint).
How do you identify the first metatarsal?Show answer
It is the shortest and stoutest, with two sesamoid grooves on the plantar surface of its head.
How do you identify and side the fifth metatarsal?Show answer
By the tuberosity on its base, which projects laterally; with the head forwards and the plantar surface down, the tuberosity points to the bone's own side.
Which muscles insert into the base of the first metatarsal?Show answer
Tibialis anterior and fibularis longus.
Which muscle inserts into the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal, and what injury involves it?Show answer
Fibularis brevis; an inversion injury can avulse the tuberosity.
Why is the second metatarsal the most stable?Show answer
Its base is recessed between the medial and lateral cuneiforms and articulates with all three cuneiforms.
What is a march fracture?Show answer
A stress fracture of a metatarsal shaft, usually the second or third, from repeated loading.
Revision summary
- Five miniature long bones, numbered from the medial side: base, shaft, head.
- Bases: tarsometatarsal joints; heads: metatarsophalangeal joints.
- First: shortest, thickest, sesamoid grooves; tibialis anterior and fibularis longus at its base.
- Second: longest, base locked between the cuneiforms.
- Fifth: tuberosity for fibularis brevis; avulsion in inversion injury.
- Shafts of the second and third: march fractures.
Test yourself on the metatarsal bones
Spotting questions on bones, sides and landmarks — untimed, with explanations.
Joints of the metatarsal bones
References
- Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. Gray's Anatomy for Students. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2023.
- Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2023.
- Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT). Terminologia Anatomica. 2nd ed. FIPAT.library.dal.ca; 2019. fipat.library.dal.ca/TA2
- Kervyn G, Zielinski M, Vinent L, et al. Z-Anatomy: the libre 3D atlas of anatomy. Models derived from BodyParts3D, The Database Center for Life Science (CC BY-SA 2.1 JP). CC BY-SA 4.0. www.z-anatomy.com/
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