Metatarsals Flashcards

Explore the five metatarsal bones, their anatomical features, articulations, muscle and ligament attachments, weight-bearing roles, and clinical landmarks.

Card 1 of 30Question

How many metatarsal bones are present in each foot?

Five metatarsals, numbered I to V from medial to lateral.

In This Section

1. How many metatarsal bones are present in each foot?

Five metatarsals, numbered I to V from medial to lateral.

2. Where are the metatarsal bones located?

Between the distal tarsal bones and the proximal phalanges of the toes.

3. How are metatarsals classified according to bone shape?

Long bones.

4. What are the three principal parts of a metatarsal?

The proximal base, shaft, and distal head.

5. Which bones articulate with the metatarsal heads?

The proximal phalanges of the corresponding toes.

6. Which metatarsal is typically the shortest and thickest?

The first metatarsal.

7. Which metatarsal is typically the longest?

The second metatarsal.

8. Which tarsal bone articulates with the base of the first metatarsal?

The medial cuneiform.

9. Which tarsal bone primarily articulates with the base of the second metatarsal?

The intermediate cuneiform.

10. Which tarsal bone articulates distally with the third metatarsal?

The lateral cuneiform.

11. Which tarsal bone articulates with the fourth and fifth metatarsal bases?

The cuboid.

12. Why is the base of the second metatarsal relatively stable?

It is recessed between the medial and lateral cuneiforms, forming a mortise-like arrangement.

13. What is the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal?

A prominent lateral projection at the proximal end of the fifth metatarsal.

14. Which muscle inserts on the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal?

The fibularis brevis muscle.

15. Which muscle inserts onto the base of the first metatarsal from the anterior leg?

The tibialis anterior muscle.

16. Which muscle inserts onto the plantar aspect of the first metatarsal base?

The fibularis longus muscle.

17. Which muscle inserts onto the dorsal base of the fifth metatarsal?

The fibularis tertius muscle.

18. Where are the usual sesamoid bones of the first metatarsophalangeal joint located?

Beneath the first metatarsal head, within the tendons of flexor hallucis brevis.

19. What type of synovial joints are the tarsometatarsal joints?

Plane synovial joints.

20. What type of synovial joints are the metatarsophalangeal joints?

Condyloid synovial joints.

21. What is the Lisfranc ligament?

A strong interosseous ligament connecting the medial cuneiform to the base of the second metatarsal.

22. What structures connect adjacent metatarsal bases?

Dorsal, plantar, and interosseous metatarsal ligaments.

23. What is the function of the deep transverse metatarsal ligament?

It connects the plantar plates of adjacent metatarsophalangeal joints and helps stabilize the forefoot.

24. How do the metatarsals contribute to the transverse arch of the foot?

Their proximal arrangement contributes to the transverse curvature of the forefoot and midfoot.

25. Which metatarsals contribute to the lateral longitudinal arch?

The fourth and fifth metatarsals.

26. Which arteries supply the metatarsal regions?

The dorsal and plantar metatarsal arteries, with additional nutrient and periosteal branches.

27. Which metatarsals are frequently affected by repetitive stress fractures?

The second and third metatarsals.

28. What is a Jones fracture?

A fracture at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the fifth metatarsal.

29. Why can Jones fractures have delayed healing?

They occur near a region of relatively limited blood supply in the proximal fifth metatarsal.

30. What is hallux valgus?

Lateral deviation of the great toe at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, commonly associated with medial prominence of the first metatarsal head.