JOINTS OF THE FOOT 435 



The dorsal ligaments are flat, distinct bands which can 

 readily be defined by the careful dissector. One such liga- 

 ment passes to the base of the first metatarsal from the 

 first cuneiform ; three, one from each of the cuneiform bones, 

 proceed to the base of the second metatarsal ; one extends 

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

 two, of which one proceeds from the third cuneiform and the 

 other from the cuboid, go to the base of the fourth meta- 

 tarsal; and one passes from the cuboid to the base of the 

 fifth metatarsal. 



The plantar ligaments are not so regularly disposed. Those 

 in connection with the first and second metatarsal bones are 

 very strong. Some of the bands have an oblique direction, 

 and those which go to the bases of the second, third, and 

 fourth metatarsal bones are more or less connected with the 

 sheath of the tendon of the peronaeus longus, and therefore 

 with the long plantar ligament. 



To bring the interosseous ligaments into view, divide freely 

 the dorsal ligaments, and then forcibly bend the metatarsus 

 plantarwards upon the tarsus. The interosseous ligaments 

 will resist this proceeding, and on looking into the joints the 

 dissector will see them stretched and tense. If the force is 

 continued they will rupture. The interosseous ligaments are 

 three in number, viz., a medial, an intermediate, and a lateral. 



The medial interosseous ligament is an exceedingly strong 

 band, which passes laterally from the anterior part of the 

 lateral surface of the first cuneiform bone to the adjacent 

 surface of the base of the second metatarsal bone. The 

 intermediate interosseous ligament is small. It passes between 

 the anterior part of the medial surface of the third 

 cuneiform and the adjacent surface of the base of the 

 second metatarsal. The lateral interosseous ligament passes 

 from the lateral surface of the third cuneiform bone to the 

 medial side of the base of the fourth metatarsal. One inter- 

 osseous ligament, therefore, passes from the first cuneiform 

 bone and two from the third cuneiform ; and of these, two 

 are attached to the base of the second, and the third to the 

 base of the fourth metatarsal bone. 



Tarso- metatarsal Articular Surfaces. The manner in 



which the metatarsus is implanted upon the tarsus should 



now be examined. The first metatarsal rests against the 



first cuneiform, and this joint possesses a separate synovial 



T 28 a 



