Intermetatarsal joints
Articulationes intermetatarseae
- Latin synonym: Articulationes intermetatarsales
Definition
Intermetatarsal joints are the articulations between the base of metatarsal bones.
The base of the first metatarsal is not connected with that of the second by any ligaments; in this respect the great toe resembles the thumb.
The bases of the other four metatarsals are connected by the dorsal, plantar, and interosseous ligaments.
- The dorsal metatarsal ligaments pass transversely between the dorsal surfaces of the bases of the adjacent metatarsal bones.
- The plantar metatarsal ligaments have a similar arrangement to the dorsal.
- The metatarsal interosseous ligaments consist of strong transverse fibers which connect the rough non-articular portions of the adjacent surfaces.
The synovial membranes found in the articulations of the tarsus and metatarsus are six in number: one for the talocalcaneal articulation; a second for the talocalcaneonavicular articulation; a third for the calcaneocuboid articulation; and a fourth for the cuneonavicular, intercuneiform, and cuneo-cuboid articulations, the articulations of the second and third cuneiforms with the bases of the second and third metatarsal bones, and the adjacent surfaces of the bases of the second, third, and fourth metatarsal bones; a fifth for the first cuneiform with the metatarsal bone of the great toe; and a sixth for the articulation of the cuboid with the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones. A small synovial cavity is sometimes found between the contiguous surfaces of the navicular and cuboid bones.
