Fifth metatarsal bone
Os quintum metatarsi
- Latin synonym: Os V metatarsi
Definition
There are 5 metatarsal bones in the foot, numbered from medial to lateral. The fifth metatarsal bone corresponds with the fifth or little toe.
Similar to the other metatarsals, the fifth metatarsal bone consists of a head, a body or shaft, and a base. The head points distally and connects with the proximal phalanx in the respective toe. The base is wedge-shaped, slanting from medial to lateral, and connects with the distal tarsal bone(s). The body, or shaft, is long and lies between the head and the base.
The peroneus brevis muscle’s tendon (from the lateral leg area) attached to a tuberosity on the lateral side of the base of the 5th metatarsal bone. Additionally, peroneus tertius from the anterior leg region also attaches to the base and the shaft of the fifth metatarsal bone. Among the intrinsic foot muscles, the flexor digiti minimi brevis originates from the plantar surface of the base of the fifth metatarsal bone.
Just like the other metatarsal bones, the shaft of the fifth metatarsal bone provides a point of attachment for the interossei muscle.
References
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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2023 IMAIOS.
Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 6: Lower Limb’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 604.
