THE PHALANGES. 



26? 



cuneiform; distal to this and near the plantar surface there is sometimes a tubercle 

 with a " pressure " facet on it, where the bone comes in contact with the base of the 

 first metatarsal. On the fibular side of the base there is one, more usually two 

 small facets, each divided into two parts, a proximal for articulation with the 

 third cuneiform, and a distal for the base of the third metatarsal. The bodies 

 of this and the succeeding three bones are slender and compressed from side to 

 side. The heads are small and narrow, and 'display a pronounced side-to-side and 

 vertical convexity. 



The third metatarsal bone also possesses a base of wedge-shaped form, 

 the proximal surface of which articulates with the third cuneiform. On its 

 tibial side it is provided with one, more usually two, small facets, for articu- 

 lation with the base of the second metatarsal. Laterally the base has a larger 

 facet for articulation with the base of the fourth metatarsal, more or less conical 

 in outline, and having its plantar edge sharply defined by a narrow groove which 

 underlies it. ) 



The fourth metatarsal possesses a base more cubical in shape. Its proximal 

 aspect articulates with the cuboid, whilst medially an elongated 

 oval facet, divided by a slight vertical ridge, provides sur- 

 for articulation with the third metatarsal distally and the 

 teral side of the first cuneiform proximally. On the lateral 

 side there is a demi-oval facet, bearing a slightly saddle - 

 haped surface, for articulation with the tibial side of the 



of the fifth metatarsal. 



The fifth metatarsal can be readily recognised by 

 e peculiar shape of its base, from the lateral side of 

 hich there projects proximally and laterally a pro- 

 inent tuberosity (tuberositas ossis metacarpi quinti). To the 

 sterior extremity of this is attached the tendon of the 

 ronaeus brevis muscle. Into its dorsal surface the tendon of 

 e peronseus tertius is inserted, whilst its plantar surface 

 rovides an origin for the flexor digiti quinti brevis muscle, 

 e medial surface of the base is provided with a demi-oval, 

 slightly concave facet, for the lateral side of the base of the 

 fourth metatarsal, whilst proximally- it articulates with the 

 uboid by means of a semicircular facet. 



Vascular Foramina. The canals for the nutrient vessels open, FlGt 275. FIFTH 

 a rule, on the plantar aspects of the middle of the bodies. Those of METATARSAL 



e lateral four metatarsals are directed towards the bases of the bones, (Dorsal Aspect). 



hilst that for the metatarsal of the great toe passes towards its head. 



Ossification. In correspondence with the mode of ossification which obtains in 

 e metacarpus, the primary centres for the metatarsus appear as early as the third 

 month of foetal life. In the case of the second, third, fourth, and fifth, these centres 

 furnish the bases and bodies of the bones, the heads being developed from secondary 

 tres which appear from two to four years after birth, fusion with the body being 

 ually completed about the eighteenth year. In striking contrast to this is the mode 

 ossification of the first metatarsal. From its primary centre the head and body is 

 veloped; the secondary centre appears at its base about the second or third year, 

 d fuses with the body about eighteen. In this respect, therefore, the metatarsal bone 

 the great toe resembles the phalanges in its mode of development. Mayet, however 

 ull. Soc. Anat. Paris, 1895), describes the occurrence of two ossific centres in the 

 ximal epiphysis. These fuse early, and he considers that the one represents the 

 .etatarsal element, whilst the other may be regarded as phalangeal in its origin. 



CUBOID 



Peronseus brevis 



EIGHT 

 BONE 





Phalanges Digitorum Pedis. 



The phalanges of the toes differ from those of the fingers in the striking 

 reduction of their size, and in the case of the bones of the first row, in the 

 compression of their bodies from side to side. Each toe is provided normally wit 

 ree phalanges, except the great toe, which has only two. In their general 



