104 OSTEOLOGY 



The Metatarsal Bones. The metatarsal bones are 

 five in number; they articulate with the tarsal bones 

 behind and the corresponding phalanges (1 to 5) in 

 front. They present for examination a shaft, a proximal 

 extremity, or a base ; a distal extremity or head. 



The first bone is the shortest and thickest, the 

 second the largest, and the fifth the thinnest. Each 

 bone has a nutrient canal on its plantar surface. 



The Phalanges of the Foot (Bones of the Toes). The 

 phalanges have the same arrangement and shape as 

 those of the fingers, except that they are longer and 

 larger. They are fourteen in number for each foot, 

 allowing three (1st, 2d, and 3d) for the second, third, 

 fourth and fifth toes; the big toe has two (1st and 2d). 



The first or proximal phalanges articulate with the 

 corresponding metatarsal bone above and the second 

 phalanges below. The second phalanges articulate 

 with the corresponding first phalanges above and third 

 below. The last or distal phalanges articulate with 

 the corresponding second phalanges above. 



QUESTIONS 



1. How many bones enter into the formation of the body skeleton? 



2. Name in a general way the bones which are included under 

 the axial skeleton. Appendicular skeleton. 



3. How many auditory ossicles are there? 



4. Give the classification of bones? 



5. Name the long bones. Short bones. Flat bones. Irregular 

 bones. 



6. Give an example of an articular eminence. Articular depres- 

 sion. 



7 Name two varieties of non-articular eminences. Non-articular 

 depressions. 



8. Give the constituents of dried bone. 



9. Do the mineral salts predominate in the bones of children or 

 adults? 



10. Why are the bones of children more elastic than those of 

 adults? 



11. What is the periosteum of a bone? 



12. Give the two classes of bone based on their composition? 



13. Wha do you understand by the medulla of a bone? Give 

 contents. 



