METATARSAL BONES. 177 



presents two articular facets separated by a rough depression ; the anterior one, 

 situated at the superior angle of the bone, articulates with the outer side of the 

 base of the second metatarsal bone ; the posterior one skirts the posterior border, 

 and articulates with the middle cuneiform ; the rough depression between the two 

 gives attachment to an interosseous ligament. The external surface also presents 

 two articular facets, separated by a rough non-articular surface. The anterior facet, 

 situated at the superior angle of the bone, is small, and articulates with the inner 

 side of the base of the fourth metatarsal ; the posterior, and larger one, articulates 

 with the cuboid ; the rough non-articular surface serves for the attachment of an 

 iuterosseous ligament. The three facets for articulation with the three metatarsal 

 bones are continuous with one another, and covered by a prolongation of the same 

 cartilage ; the facets for articulation with the middle cuneiform and scaphoid are 

 also continuous, but that for articulation with the cuboid is usually separate. The 

 superior or dorsal surface, of an oblong form, is rough for the attachment of liga- 

 ments. The inferior or plantar surface is an obtuse rounded margin, and serves for 

 the attachment of part of the tendon of the Tibialis posticus, part of the Flexor 

 brevis pollicis, and ligaments. 



To ascertain to which side it belongs, hold the bone with the broad dorsal 

 surface upwards, the prolonged edge backwards ; the separate articular facet for 

 the cuboid will point to the proper side. 



Articulations, With six bones : the scaphoid, middle cuneiform, cuboid, and 

 second, third, and fourth metatarsal bones. 



Attachment of Muscles. Part of Tibialis posticus, and Flexor brevis pollicis. 



THE METATARSAL BONES. 



The Metatarsal bones are five in number ; they are long bones, and subdivided 

 into a shaft, and two extremities. 



The Shaft is prismoid in form, tapers gradually from the tarsal to the phalangeal 

 extremity, and is slightly curved longitudinally, so as to be concave below, slightly 

 convex above. 



The Posterior Extremity or Base is wedge-shaped, articulating by its terminal 

 surface with the tarsal bones, and by its lateral surfaces with the contiguous bones ; 

 its dorsal and plantar surfaces being rough, for the attachment of ligaments. 



The Anterior Extremity or Head presents a terminal rounded articular surface, 

 oblong from above downwards, and extending further backwards below than above. 

 Its sides are flattened, and present a depression, surmounted by a tubercle, for 

 ligamentous attachment. Its under surface is grooved in the middle line, for the 

 passage of the Flexor tendon, and marked on each side by an articular eminence 

 continuous with the terminal articular surface. 



PECULIAR METATARSAL BONES. 



The First is remarkable for its great size, but is the shortest of all the meta- 

 tarsal bones. The shaft is strong, and of well-marked prismoid form. The 

 posterior extremity presents no lateral articular facets ; its terminal articular surface 

 is of large size, of semilunar form, and its circumference grooved for the tarso- 

 metatarsal ligaments ; its inferior angle presents a rough oval prominence, for the 

 insertion of the tendon of the Peroneus longus. The head is of large size ; on its 

 plantar surface are two grooved facets, over which glide sesamoid bones, the 

 facets being separated by a smooth elevated ridge. 



The Second is the longest and largest of the remaining metatarsal bones ; being 

 prolonged backwards, into the recess formed between the three cuneiform bones. 

 Its tarsal extremity is broad above, narrow and rough below. It presents four 

 articular surfaces: one behind, of a triangular form, for articulation with the 

 middle cuneiform ; one at the upper part of its internal lateral surface, for articu- 

 lation with the internal cuneiform; and two on its external lateral surface, a 

 superior and an inferior, separated by a rough depression. Each of the latter 

 articular surfaces is divided by a vertical ridge into two parts ; the anterior seg- 

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