Fourth metatarsal (right) (Os metatarsale quartum)

Layer: Bones

Educational content only — not medical advice.

Anatomy

The metatarsal of the fourth toe in the right foot: a long shaft with a tarsal base behind and a phalangeal head in front. Joining the cuboid behind, it shares lateral-foot movement with the fifth.

Clinical notes

Stress fractures smoulder as gradual midfoot pain without a clear injury; rest and load reduction heal them before a complete break occurs.

Related structures

Educational references

FAQ

What is the role of the Fourth metatarsal (right)?

The metatarsal of the fourth toe in the right foot: a long shaft with a tarsal base behind and a phalangeal head in front. Joining the cuboid behind, it shares lateral-foot movement with the fifth.

Why is the Fourth metatarsal (right) clinically important?

Stress fractures smoulder as gradual midfoot pain without a clear injury; rest and load reduction heal them before a complete break occurs.

Source & license

Derived from Z-Anatomy (Gauthier Kervyn et al.), CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/); upstream geometry from BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science. license details