# What is the tarsometatarsal articulations?

Gray’s Anatomy (1918) describes the tarsometatarsal articulations as follows: These are arthrodial joints.

## What it means

- These are arthrodial joints. The bones entering into their formation are the first, second, and third cuneiforms, and the cuboid, which articulate with the bases of the metatarsal bones.
- The first metatarsal bone articulates with the first cuneiform; the second is deeply wedged in between the first and third cuneiforms articulating by its base with the second cuneiform; the third articulates with the third cuneiform; the fourth, with the cuboid and third cuneiform; and the fifth, with the cuboid. The bones are connected by dorsal, plantar, and interosseous ligaments. The Dorsal Ligaments ( ligamenta tarsometatarsea dorsalia ). —The dorsal ligaments are strong, flat bands.
- The first metatarsal is joined to the first cuneiform by a broad, thin band; the second has three, one from each cuneiform bone; the third has one from the third cuneiform; the fourth has one from the third cuneiform and one from the cuboid; and the fifth, one from the cuboid . The Plantar Ligaments ( ligamenta tarsometatarsea plantaria ). —The plantar ligaments consist of longitudinal and oblique bands, disposed with less regularity than the dorsal ligaments.
- Those for the first and second metatarsals are the strongest; the second and third metatarsals are joined by oblique bands to the first cuneiform; the fourth and fifth metatarsals are connected by a few fibers to the cuboid .

## Sources

- [Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body (1918)](https://www.bartleby.com/lit-hub/anatomy-of-the-human-body/1f-tarsometatarsal-articulations/)

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