Metatarsal Base, Lateral View

Description

Second metatarsal base fills the frame in lateral profile, emphasizing the proximal wedge that slots between the medial and lateral cuneiforms at the tarsometatarsal (Lisfranc) joint. The smooth articular facet occupies the proximal end, while the shaft extends distally with a gentle plantar contour and a flatter dorsal surface. Dorsal and plantar margins of the base read as distinct ridges, giving a reliable sense of where capsular attachments and interosseous ligaments would anchor relative to the joint line. Lisfranc injuries often hinge on this geometry: the second metatarsal is the keystone of the transverse arch, and subtle widening or step-off at its base can signal disruption of the Lisfranc ligament complex even when the forefoot otherwise appears aligned. That matters in both acute trauma (midfoot fracture-dislocation) and chronic sequelae such as post-traumatic tarsometatarsal arthritis, where joint surface congruity and dorsal osteophytes drive pain with push-off. Oblique lighting across the lateral cortex makes the change from nonarticular bone to cartilage-bearing surface easy to appreciate. Small margins matter. Use this illustration for anatomy teaching of the pedal skeleton, when you need to explain why the second ray is recessed proximally and how that stabilizes the midfoot. It also suits orthopedic and sports medicine content on Lisfranc sprains, operative fixation planning (screw or plate trajectories across the second tarsometatarsal joint), and radiology correlation when discussing subtle avulsion fragments at the metatarsal base and adjacent cuneiforms. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.