Metatarsale

Metatarsale is the singular term used in several languages for a metatarsal bone of the foot; in English the equivalent is the metatarsal bone. The forefoot contains five metatarsales, numbered 1 to 5 from medial (the big toe) to lateral (the little toe).

Each metatarsale has a proximal base, a long shaft, a neck, and a distal head. The bases articulate with the tarsal bones at the tarsometatarsal joints, while the heads form the metatarsophalangeal joints with the proximal phalanges. The first metatarsale is the thickest and shortest; the second is typically the longest and central to weight transfer.

Functionally, the metatarsales bear and transfer body weight during standing and movement, help form the arches of the foot, and contribute to propulsion during push-off as the metatarsophalangeal joints extend.

Clinical issues commonly involve metatarsal injuries, including fractures and stress fractures in athletes. The fifth metatarsale is a frequent site for fractures such as Jones fractures, which involve the base or proximal diaphysis. Metatarsalgia refers to pain in the forefoot. Lisfranc injuries involve disruption of the tarsometatarsal joints. Treatment ranges from rest and immobilization to surgical intervention, depending on fracture pattern and displacement.

Development and variants: Metatarsales ossify from a primary center in the shaft, with secondary centers in the heads appearing in childhood. Anatomic variants include accessory bones and deformities that can affect foot mechanics. Imaging with X-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI aids in diagnosis and management planning.