Metatarsals are the five long bones nestled in the midfoot, forming the bridge between the Tarsals and the Phalanges. These slender bones, numbered I to V starting from the big toe, are crucial for supporting the body's weight, maintaining balance, and enabling propulsion during movement.
Each metatarsal bone consists of a base (proximal end), a shaft (body), and a head (distal end). The bases articulate with the Cuneiform and Cuboid bones of the tarsus, forming the tarsometatarsal Joints. The heads, on the other hand, connect with the proximal phalanges, forming the metatarsophalangeal joints. The first metatarsal (big toe side) is typically the shortest and thickest, bearing significant load.
These bones play a vital role in forming the arches of the foot, which absorb shock and distribute pressure during activities like walking, running, and jumping. They act as levers during the push-off phase of gait.
Common conditions affecting the metatarsals include Stress Fracture, often due to repetitive impact, and metatarsalgia, a painful inflammation in the ball of the foot.
