Metatarsus facts for kids
| Bone: Metatarsal | ||
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| Skeleton of foot. Superior view. Metatarsus shown in green. | ||
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| Skeleton of left foot from the side. Metatarsus shown in purple. | ||
| Latin | metatarsus ossa metatarsalia |
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| Gray's | subject #64 272 | |
| MeSH | Metatarsus | |
The metatarsal bones are a group of five long bones found in your foot. They are located in the middle part of your foot. These bones connect the tarsal bones (which are in your ankle and mid-foot) to the phalanges (the bones in your toes).
The metatarsal bones are numbered from one to five. The first metatarsal is on the side of your big toe. The numbering continues across your foot to the fifth metatarsal, which is on the side of your little toe. Sometimes, these bones are numbered using Roman numerals. The metatarsals in your foot are quite similar to the metacarpal bones found in your hand.
Contents
Your Foot's Middle Bones
Where Are Metatarsals Found?
Your foot has many bones that work together. The metatarsal bones act like a bridge. They link the bones closer to your ankle with the bones that make up your toes. This design helps your foot move and support your body weight.
How Many Metatarsals Do You Have?
You have five metatarsal bones in each foot. Each one is a long bone, but they are not all the same size. The first metatarsal (under your big toe) is usually the shortest and thickest. The second metatarsal is often the longest.
Common Metatarsal Injuries
Metatarsal bones can sometimes break. This type of injury is quite common among soccer players. Modern football boots are often designed to be very lightweight. This can mean they offer less protection to the top of the foot.
Because of this, some soccer players have started using special socks. These socks have a rubber pad made of silicon over the top of the foot. This extra padding helps to protect the metatarsal bones from impacts and injuries during games.
Images for kids
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X-ray of foot.
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Skeleton of left foot. Medial aspect.
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Oblique section of left intertarsal and tarsometatarsal articulations, showing the synovial cavities.
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Safety footwear with removable metatarsal guard.
See also
In Spanish: Metatarso para niños
