THE METATARSUS 



169 



Articulations. — \\\\\\ the middle cuneiform, the scaphoid, the (■ul)oid, and tlie 

 sei'ond, third, and fourth metatarsals. 



Muscles. — The flexor brevis hallucis and a slip from the tibialis posticus. 

 Ossification. — A single nucleus appears in the course of the first year. 



Fig. 182. — Thk Left External Cuneiform. (E.xternal surface.) 



FOR FOURTH METATARSAL 

 FOR THIRD METATARSAL 



The three cuneiform bones rest posteriorly against the scaphoid; and as iliey 

 are of unequal length, the middle being the smallest, it follows that when the bones 

 are placed in their natural positions a deep gap or recess is formed in front. Into 

 this recess the base of the second metatarsal is received, thus explaining the small 

 facets at the anterior superior angles of the internal and external cuneiforms. 



THE METATARSUS 



The metatarsus consists of five Ixjnes, numbered one to five, beginning at the 

 hallux. Each metatarsal presents a proximal portion termed the base, anda distal 

 end or head. The shaft of each bone, vriih the exception of the first, is prismatic; 

 the base of the prism is directed upwards, and the narrow edge downwards. The 

 shaft tapers gradually from the base to the head and is slightly bowed, the con- 

 cavity being on the plantar aspect. 



Fig. 1^:5. — The First (Left) Metatarsal. 



TIBIAL 



OR 



INNER SIDE 



FIBULAR 



OR 



CUTER SIDE 



FOR PERONEUS LONGUS 

 FACET FOR SECOND META- 

 TARSAL (OCCASIONAL) 



The base is prismatic: its terminal surface is faceted for articulation Avith the 

 tarsus, and the adjacent borders of the base present small facets, in most cases for 

 adjacent metatarsals. 



The head is semicircular, forming a convex articular surface for the base of the 

 first phalanx. The compressed sides of the head present near their centres a 

 depression surmounted by a prominent tubercle. The plantar surface is deeply 



