Metatarsal bones

Bone: Metatarsal bones
Skeleton of foot. Superior view. Metatarsals shown in green.
Skeleton of left foot. Lateral aspect. Metatarsals shown in purple.
Latin	Metatarsus pl. ossa metatarsi (also: ossa metatarsalia)

The metatarsus or metatarsal bones are a group of five long bones in the foot. They are between the tarsal bones of the hind and mid-foot and the phalanges of the toes.

The metatarsal bones are numbered from the side of the large toe: the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal. They can be numbered with Roman numerals. The metatarsals are like the metacarpal bones of the hand.

The metatarsal bones are often broken by soccer players. This may be caused by the lightweight design of modern football boots, which give less protection to the foot. In 2010 some soccer players began testing a new sock that had a rubber silicon pad over the foot to protect the top of the foot.

Metatarsal Bones Media

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  Bones of the right foot. Dorsal surface. Metatarsus shown in yellow.

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  Muscle attachments (seen from above)

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  Muscle attachments (seen from below)

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  Fracture of the base of the 5th metatarsal

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  Ankle and tarsometarsal joints, showing bones of foot. Deep dissection.

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  Safety footwear with removable metatarsal guard.