METATARSUS. 



217 



Fig. 48.* 



much more liable to be broken, and the foot could not accom- 

 modate itself to the surfaces we tread on by becoming more 

 or less hollow, or by raising or depressing either of its sides. 



Metatarsus. 



The Metatarsus is composed of five bones, which agree, in 

 their general characters, with the metacarpal bones ; but may 

 be distinguished from ihcm by the following marks : 1. They 

 are longer, thicker, and stronger. 2. Their anterior round ends 

 are not so broad, and are less in proportion to their basis. 



3. Their bodies are sharper above and flatter on their sides, 

 with their inferior ridge inclined more to the outside. 4. The 

 tubercles at the lower part of the round head are larger. 



The first or internal metatarsal bone is 

 easily distinguished from the rest by its 

 thickness. The one next to it is the 

 longest, and with its sharp edge almost 

 perpendicular. The others are shorter 

 and more oblique, as their situation is 

 more external. Which general remarks, 

 with the description now to be given of 

 each, may teach us to distinguish them 

 from each other. 



Os metatarsi pollicis is by far the 

 thickest and strongest, as having much 

 the greatest weight to sustain. Its base 

 is oblong, irregularly concave, and of a 

 semilunar figure, to be adapted to the os 

 cuneiforme maximum. The inferior edge 

 of this base is a little prominent and rough, 



* The sole of the lefi foot. 1. The inner tuberosity of the os calcis. 2. The 

 outer tuberosity. 3. The groove for the tendon of the flexor longus digitorum. 



4. The rounded head of liie astragalus. 5. The scaphoid bone. 6. Its tuberosity. 

 7. The internal cuneiform bone ; its broad extremity. 8. The middle cuneiform 

 bone. 9. The external cuneiform bone. 10, II. The cuboid bone. 11. Refers 

 to the groove for the tendon of the peroneus longus. 12, 12 The metatarsal 

 bones. 13, 13. The first phalanges. 14, 14. The second phalanges of the four 

 lesser toes. 15, 15. The third, or ungual phalanges of the four lesser toes. 16. 

 The last phalanx of the great toe. 



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