170 



Till-: SKKLF/mS' 



groovi'd for the paj^sage of flexor tendons. To the sides of the head the lateral 

 li.uaments of tlie nietatarso-plialanueal joints are attached. 



Tlie FIRST METATARSAL is tlie niost modified: it is shorter, but much thicker 

 than its fellows. The base ])resents a reniform, slightly concave facet for the 

 internal cuneiform l)one. On the outer (fibular) side of the base, near its lower 

 angle, there is a tubercle into which tlie peroncus longus is inserted. A little above 

 this, there is frequently a shallow l)ut easily recognised facet where it comes into 

 contact with the base of the second metatarsal. 



The head of the l>one has two deep grooves on the plantar surface for the 

 sesaninids developed in thv fir. mr hrrris hallnris muscle. 



Muscles. — Peroneus longus; til»ialis anticus; first dorsal interosseous. 



Blood-supply. — Tlie nutrient vessel enters the shaft on the fibular side, and is 

 directed towards the head of tlie bone. 



The SECOND METATARSAL is the longest of the series. Its base is prolonged 

 backwards to occupy the space between the internal and external cuneiform bones; 

 this leads to the formation of a small facet at the superior angle on the tibial side 



Fig. 184. —The Second (Left") Metatarsal. 



TIBIAL 



OR 



INNER SIDE 



AN OCCAS ONAL FACET FOR THE FIRST 

 METATARSAL 



■NTERNAL CUNEIFORM 



FIBULAR 



OR 



OUTER SIDE 



FACETS FOR THIRD METATARSAL 

 FACETS FOR EXTERNAL CUNEIFORM 



where it articulates with the internal cuneiform. It oecasionallv presents a small 

 facet for the first metatarsal. The outer (fibular) side of the Imse has two facets, 

 each subdivided in well-marked bones. The dorsal facet is long and narrow; the 

 jiosterior section articulates with tlie external cuneiform; the anterior is for the 

 third metatarsal. The lower facet is somewhat circular: its posterior section is for 

 the external cuneiform, the anterior for the third mct.-itarsal. The terniinal facet 

 on the base is for the middle cuneiform: thus the second metatarsal articulates 

 \vith three cuneiform bones. 



Muscles. — A.hhictor liallucis; first and second dorsal interosseous. 



Blood-supply.— The nutrient artery. enters on the fibular side near the middle 

 of the slialt, and is directed towards the base of the bone. 



The THIRD METATARSAL articulates by its base with the external cuneiform. 

 It has on the mner (til.ial) side two facets: one below the other for the second 

 metatarsal, and a large fac(4 (»n the fil)ular side for the fourth metatarsal. 



Muscles.— Adductor hallucis; first plantar; second and third dorsal inter- 

 osseous. 



