Editing Metatarsal bones (section)

== Structure ==
The five metatarsals are [[Dorsum (biology)|dorsal]] convex [[long bones]] consisting of a shaft or body, a base ([[proximal]]ly), and a head ([[distal]]ly).<ref name="Platzer-220">Platzer 2004, p. 220</ref> The body is prismoid in form, tapers gradually from the [[tarsus (skeleton)|tarsal]] to the [[Phalanx bones|phalangeal]] extremity, and is curved longitudinally, so as to be concave below, slightly convex above. The base or [[Posterior (anatomy)|posterior]] extremity is [[Wedge (geometry)|wedge]]-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 of [[ligament]]s. 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 a [[Tubercle (anatomy)|tubercle]], for ligamentous attachment. Its [[plantar]] surface is grooved antero-posteriorly for the passage of the flexor [[tendon]]s, and marked on either side by an articular eminence continuous with the terminal articular surface.<ref name="Grays-6d.2.">Gray's 1918, ''6d. 2. The Metatarsus''</ref>

During growth, the [[epiphyseal plate|growth plate]]s 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.<ref name="MathisFrame1989">{{cite journal|last1=Mathis|first1=SK|last2=Frame|first2=BA|last3=Smith|first3=CE|title=Distal first metatarsal epiphysis. A common pediatric variant|journal=Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association|volume=79|issue=8|year=1989|pages=375–79|issn=8750-7315|doi=10.7547/87507315-79-8-375|pmid=2681682}}</ref>

=== Articulations ===
[[File:Ospied-en.svg|thumb|Bones of the right foot. Dorsal surface. Metatarsus shown in yellow.]]
The base of each metatarsal bone articulates with one or more of the tarsal bones at the [[tarsometatarsal joint]]s, and the head with one of the first row of phalanges at the [[metatarsophalangeal joint]]s.  Their bases also articulate with each other at the [[intermetatarsal articulations|intermetatarsal joints]]

* The [[First metatarsal bone|''first'' metatarsal]] articulates with the [[Medial cuneiform bone|medial cuneiform]], and to a small extent to the [[Intermediate cuneiform bone|intermediate cuneiform]].<ref name="Platzer-218">Platzer 2004, p. 218</ref>
* the [[Second metatarsal bone|''second'']] with all three [[Cuneiform (anatomy)|cuneiforms]].<ref name="Platzer-218" />
* the [[Third metatarsal bone|''third'']] with the [[Lateral cuneiform bone|lateral cuneiform]].<ref name="Platzer-218" />
* the [[Fourth metatarsal bone|''fourth'']] with the lateral cuneiform and the [[Cuboid bone|cuboid]].<ref name="Platzer-218" />
* The [[Fifth metatarsal bone|''fifth'']] with the cuboid.<ref name="Platzer-218" />

=== Muscle attachments ===
{|align=right
|-
| [[File:Gray268 - Mratatarsus.png|thumb|130px|Muscle attachments (seen from above)]] || [[File:Gray269 - Mratatarsus.png|thumb|130px|Muscle attachments (seen from below)]]
|}
{| class="sortable wikitable" 
| '''Muscle''' || '''Direction''' || '''Attachment'''<ref name=Bojsen>{{cite book |last1=Bojsen-Møller |first1=Finn  |last2=Simonsen |first2=Erik B. |last3=Tranum-Jensen |first3=Jørgen| year=2001 |title=Bevægeapparatets anatomi |edition=12th |language=da |trans-title=Anatomy of the Locomotive Apparatus | isbn =978-87-628-0307-7|pages=364–67 }}</ref>
|- 
| [[Tibialis anterior muscle|Tibialis anterior]]   ||  Insertion  ||  Basis of [[First metatarsal bone|first metatarsal]]
 |- 
 | [[Peroneous tertius]]   ||  Insertion  ||  Dorsal side basis of [[Fifth metatarsal bone|fifth metatarsal]]
 |- 
 | [[Peroneous longus]]   ||  Insertion  ||   Tuberosity of [[First metatarsal bone|first metatarsal]]
 |- 
 | [[Peroneous brevis]]   ||  Insertion  ||  Tuberosity of [[Fifth metatarsal bone|fifth metatarsal]]
 |- 
 | Horizontal head of [[Adductor hallucis muscle|adductor hallucis]]   ||  Origin  ||  Deep [[transverse metatarsal ligament]]
 |- 
 | [[Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle (foot)|Flexor digiti minimi brevis]]   ||  Origin  ||  Basis of [[Fifth metatarsal bone|fifth metatarsal]]
 |- 
 | [[Plantar interossei muscles|Plantar interossei]]   ||  Origin  || Medial side of [[Third metatarsal bone|third]], [[Fourth metatarsal bone|fourth]] and [[Fifth metatarsal bone|fifth metatarsal]]
 |- 
 | [[Dorsal interossei of the foot|Dorsal interossei]]   ||  Origin  || [[First metatarsal bone|First]] to [[Fifth metatarsal bone|fifth metatarsal]]
 |-
 |}