Anatomy study note · Lower limb

Joints of the forefoot and toes

Tarsometatarsal and intermetatarsal joints are synovial plane joints; the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints resemble those of the hand.

Key points

• TMT and intermetatarsal: plane joints.
• Deep transverse ligaments join all 5 MTP joints (unlike the hand).
• Toe movement axis = second toe.
• Hallux valgus → hallux rigidus.
• Joint: from mesenchyme between bone ends.
• Synovial cavity forms in the middle layer.
• Synovial membrane: type A (phagocytic) + type B (secretory) cells.
• Joint surfaces: hyaline cartilage, no perichondrium.

The full note in the atlas also covers

Features · Action · Histology · Development · Clinical notes

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Written from

• Snell’s Clinical Anatomy by Regions, 10th ed., ch. 11, PDF pp. 1419–1420
• Inderbir Singh’s Human Embryology, ch. 10, PDF p. 144
• BRS Cell Biology & Histology, 7th ed., ch. 7, PDF pp. 117–120, 131

More from the lower limb

• Knee joint
• Menisci of the knee
• Metatarsal bones
• Patella
• Pectineus
• Phalanges of the foot
• Plantar aponeurosis
• Plantar arteries
• Plantar nerves
• Plantaris
• Popliteal artery
• Popliteal lymph nodes

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