230 SKELETON. 



Of the Second Metatarsal Bone. 



This is the longest of any, and may be distinguished from the 

 others principally by that circumstance. 



The posterior extremity is triangular, the broadest part being 

 above. It presents a surface very slightly concave, almost flat, 

 which rests upon the cuneiforme medium. The sides of this 

 extremity being flattened, laterally, it is locked in between the 

 internal and external cuneiforms ; on its internal side, above, is 

 an articular facet, where it comes in contact with the cunei- 

 forme intemum, and, externally, it has two articular facets. The 

 posterior one of the latter touches the cuneiforme externum, 

 and the anterior, which is smaller, comes in contact wi'th the 

 third metatarsal bone. These two facets run into each other 

 by an angular rising. 



The anterior extremity is convex and rounded; its vertical 

 diameter is more considerable than its transverse, and the arti- 

 cular face which it furnishes to the second toe is continued con- 

 siderably below, in order to assist the flexion of the first phalanx. 

 Its circumference is rough and flattened laterally, for the origin 

 of the capsular ligament. 



The body is smaller than either of the extremities, and de- 

 creases gradually from behind forwards. It is flattened on each 

 side, and elevated longitudinally above and below, into a ridge. 

 There is a curvature in its length, which makes it convex above, 

 and concave below, for the lodgement of muscles. 



Of the Third Mvtalarsal Bone. 



This is rather shorter than the second, but has very much 

 the same shape. 



Its posterior extremity, or base, is triangular, has the broad- 

 est part above, and articulates with the third cuneiform; the 

 surface for the latter, slopes outwardly. Its circumference is 

 flattened laterally, and presents, internally, at its superior cor- 



