Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints
Articulationes metatarsophalangeae
The metatarsophalangeal joints are the five joints where the toes meet the foot. Each one joins the head of a metatarsal to the base of a proximal phalanx.
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Free 3D model of the metatarsophalangeal joints. Right foot. Drag to rotate, zoom with + and − (or Ctrl + scroll), click a bone to highlight and name it.
- Metatarsals
- Proximal phalanges
Key points
- The MTP joints are where the toes meet the foot.
- There are five, one at the base of each toe.
- Together they form the ball of the foot.
- The first, at the big toe, is the largest and includes two sesamoid bones.
What are the metatarsophalangeal joints?
The metatarsophalangeal joints are the joints at the base of the toes. Each joins the rounded head of a metatarsal to the hollow base of a proximal phalanx. The name is usually shortened to MTP joint.
Which bones form the MTP joints?
There are five MTP joints, numbered like the toes from the big toe outward. Each is a rounded head fitting a shallow cup, which allows movement in more than one direction.
What holds an MTP joint together?
Each joint is wrapped in a capsule and steadied by a ligament on either side. Underneath, a thick pad called the plantar plate stops the toe bending too far upward.
A ligament running across the foot ties the five metatarsal heads to one another so they do not splay apart.
How do the MTP joints move?
They mainly bend up and down, with a little spreading and closing of the toes. Upward bending matters most: every time the heel lifts, the toes stay on the ground and these joints bend so the foot can roll forward.
The first MTP joint
The joint at the base of the big toe is the largest and carries the most load. The two sesamoid bones sit on its underside and act as a pulley for the tendons that bend the toe.
Common problems with the MTP joints
The first MTP joint is where bunions form and a common site of arthritis and gout. Turf toe is a sprain of the tissue under it.
Inflammation of the capsule under the second toe is a frequent cause of pain in the ball of the foot. This page describes anatomy only.
Common questions
What does MTP stand for?
Metatarsophalangeal: between a metatarsal and a phalanx.
Where is the first MTP joint?
At the base of the big toe, on the inner side of the ball of the foot.
What type of joint is the MTP joint?
A condyloid synovial joint, which bends in two planes.
What is the difference between MTP and MCP joints?
MTP joints are in the foot. MCP joints are the knuckles of the hand.
Is this 3D model of the metatarsophalangeal joints free?
Yes. The interactive 3D model on this page is free to view and use for study, with no account or download needed. Its geometry comes from the open BodyParts3D data set (CC BY-SA).
About this free 3D model of the metatarsophalangeal joints
The interactive 3D model on this page is free to use in your browser, with no sign-up. It is built from scan-based anatomy data, so every bone is a separate, correctly placed shape you can turn and inspect from any side.