TAESO-METATARSAL ARTICULATIONS. 179 



the two bones a distinct articulation is formed by cartilaginous sur- 

 faces ; it is provided sometimes with a separate synovial membrane, at 

 others with an offset fi-om that which belongs to the scapho-cuneiforni 

 articulation. 



The three cuneiform bones are connected by transverse dorsal liija- 

 ments and strong mferosseous fibres ; the latter being their most efl&cient 

 uniting structures. A transverse plantar ligament exists only between 

 the two innermost bones. The articulations between these bones are 

 lined by offsets from the synovial membrane of the joint between them 

 and the scaphoid bone. 



Articulation of the Tarsus with the Metatarsus. — The four 

 anterior l^ones of the tarsus, viz., the three cuneiform and the cuboid, 

 articulate with the metatarsal bones ; and as the first and third cunei- 

 form bones project beyond the middle one, and the third cuneiform 

 beyond the cuboid bone, the anterior surface of the tarsus is very 

 irregular. The first metatarsal bone articulates with the internal 

 cuneiform ; the second is wedged in between the first and third cunei- 

 form, and rests against the second ; the third metatarsal bone articu- 

 lates with the extremity of the external cuneiform ; and the last two 

 with the cuboid bone, the fourth having also an attachment to tlie 

 external cuneiform. The articulations are furnished with synovial mem- 

 branes, and the bones are held in contact by dorsal, plantar, and in- 

 terosseous ligaments. 



The dorsal tarso-metatarsal ligaments are flat thin bands of parallel 

 fibres, which pass from behind forwards, connecting the contiguous 

 extremities of the bones before n:tentioned. Thus the first metatarsal 

 bone receives a broad thin band from the corresponding cuneiform 

 bone ; the second receives three, which converge to its upper surface, 

 one passing from each cuneiform bone ; the third has one from the 

 external cuneiform bone ; and, finalh% the last two are bound by a 

 fasciculus from each to the cuboid bone, and by fibres to the external 

 cuneiform from the fourth metatarsal bone. The plantar ligaments are 

 less regular ; the bands of the first and second toes are more strongly 

 marked than the corresjionding ligaments on the dorsal surface ; and 

 those of the fourth and fifth toes, which are merely a few scattered 

 fibres passing to the cuboid, receive support from the sheath of the 

 peroneus longus muscle. Ligamentous bands stretch in an oblique or 

 transverse direction from the internal cuneiform to the second and 

 third metatarsal bones, and from the external cuneiform to the filth 

 metatarsal. 



The interosseous ligaments run obliquely between the bones, and 

 from their strength and deep position oppose great resistance to the 

 Imife in separating the metatarsus from the tarsus, a. The iniornal 

 and largest of these extends from the outer side of the first cunei- 

 form bone, to the neighbouring side of the second metatarsal, close 

 to the articular surface, b. The external interosseous ligament sepa- 

 rates the articulation of the iburth and fifth metatarsal' Irenes from 

 the rest. It connects the outer side of the external cuneiform bone 

 to the same side of the third, and veiy strongly to the inner side 

 of the fourth metatarsal, c. Occasionally some fibres, of less strength 

 and importance than the preceding, are observable on the outer 

 side of the second metatarsal bone, counectmg it to the middlii 

 cuneiform. 



K 2 



