The Base Of The Metatarsal Bone In Superior View

Description

Superior to the shafts, the five metatarsal bases expand into broad, irregular articular surfaces arranged from the medial first metatarsal to the lateral fifth. Along the proximal (posterior) margin, the animation tracks the tarsometatarsal line, where the first metatarsal meets the medial cuneiform, the second seats between the medial and lateral cuneiforms with the intermediate cuneiform, the third meets the lateral cuneiform, and the fourth and fifth articulate with the cuboid. Subtle contour changes across the dorsal (superior) cortex and the intermetatarsal relationships become clearer as the sequence advances. Landmarks hold steady. These superior relationships matter at the Lisfranc joint complex, where small shifts at the second metatarsal base or between the medial cuneiform and second metatarsal can signal a Lisfranc ligament injury on radiographs, CT, or weight-bearing imaging. The animated sweep helps teach why the second metatarsal base functions as a keystone between cuneiforms and why diastasis between the first and second rays is a red flag. It also supports procedural planning for tarsometatarsal arthrodesis, where joint line orientation and adjacent joint preservation guide fixation strategy. Use this asset in gross anatomy or lower limb osteology labs, in orthopaedic and podiatry teaching modules on midfoot sprain versus fracture-dislocation, and in radiology lectures that correlate dorsal (superior) bony landmarks with AP and oblique foot projections. It also fits surgical counseling media explaining post-traumatic midfoot arthritis and planned fusion levels. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.