Third metatarsal bone
The third metatarsal bone is a long bone in the foot. It is the second longest metatarsal. The longest being the second metatarsal. The third metatarsal is analogous to the third metacarpal bone in the hand
| Third metatarsal bone | |
|---|---|
The third metatarsal. (Left.) | |
Bones of the right foot. Dorsal surface. Third metatarsal bone is the yellow bone third from the left | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | os metatarsale III |
| FMA | 24504 |
| Anatomical terms of bone | |
As the four other metatarsals bones it can be divided into three parts; base, body and head. The base is the part closest to the ankle and the head is closest to the toes. The narrowed part in the middle is referred to as the body of the bone. The bone is somewhat flatten giving it two surfaces; the plantar (towards the sole of the foot) and the dorsal side (the area facing upwards while standing). These surfaces are rough for the attachment of ligaments. The bone is curved longitudinally, so as to be concave below, slightly convex above.
The base or posterior extremity is wedge-shaped. The third metatarsal bone articulates proximally, by means of a triangular smooth surface, with the third cuneiform; medially, by two facets, with the second metatarsal; and laterally, by a single facet, with the fourth metatarsal. This last facet is situated at the dorsal angle of the base.
The head or anterior extremity articulates with the third proximal phalanx.