314 SKELETON. 



Of the Tarso-Metatarsal Articulations. 



The articular faces of the bones, here, having been sufficient- 

 ly described, it is to be noted in addition, that besides being 

 covered with cartilage, they have the apparatus of the movea- 

 ble articulations generally, in ligaments which hold them toge- 

 ther, and in synovial membranes. The ligaments are above 

 and below. 



1. The articulation of the first metatarsal bone with the cu- 

 neiforme internum is one-third of an inch in advance of the 

 next, and completely insulated by its synovial membrane: it is 

 strongly secured by ligamentous fibres above, internally and 

 below, which give it almost a complete capsule. 



2. The dorsal or upper ligaments of the remaining metatar- 

 sal bones are arranged as follow. There are three for the se- 

 cond metatarsal; one comes from the second cuneiform, one 

 from the first, and another from the third: the two latter are 

 oblique; and they all converge to be inserted into the base of 

 the bone to which they belong. One dorsal ligament passes 

 from the third cuneiform to the base of the third metatarsal; 

 it is sometimes assisted by a fasciculus from the cuboides. 

 From the superior face of the cuboid bone a fasciculus is sent 

 to the base of the third and fourth metatarsals. 



The plantar or under ligaments are arranged on the same 

 plan with the dorsal. Not being quite so strong, they are re- 

 enforced by the fibrous sheaths of the flexor tendons which lie 

 upon them. 



The synovial membrane, which is reflected over the articu- 

 lar surfaces between the second and third metatarsals and their 

 corresponding cuneiforms, is the elongation of the digital pro- 

 cess sent from the scaphoid articulation between the first and 

 second cuneiforms. This process, besides extending to the 

 aforesaid tarso-metatarsal articulations, insinuates itself to the 

 articular surfaces on the sides of the second metatarsal bone; 



