metatarsus

[ met-uh-tahr-suhs ]

noun

, Anatomy, Zoology.

, plural met·a·tar·si [met-, uh, -, tahr, -sahy].

1. the part of a foot or hind limb, especially its bony structure, included between the tarsus and the toes or phalanges.

metatarsus

/ ˌmɛtəˈtɑːsəs /

noun

1. the skeleton of the human foot between the toes and the tarsus, consisting of five long bones
2. the corresponding skeletal part in other vertebrates

Word History and Origins

Origin of metatarsus¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1670–80; meta-, tarsus

Example Sentences

His feet are strong and made for digging; the metatarsus is elongated, and he has five toes on each foot.

From Project Gutenberg

There is great similarity between Dinosaurs and Pterodactyles seen in the region of the instep, known as the metatarsus.

From Project Gutenberg

The toes and tarso-metatarsus are usually featherless and are covered either with granular structures or with well-formed scales.

From Project Gutenberg

In Gallinaceous birds the tarso-metatarsus bears a bony outgrowth which is sheathed in horn and forms a spur.

From Project Gutenberg

The distal tarsals fuse with the second, third and fourth metatarsals, forming a compound bone, the tarso-metatarsus.

From Project Gutenberg