Metatarsal bones Metatarsal bones The metatarsal bones, or metatarsus are a group of five long bones in the foot, located between the tarsal bones of the hind- and mid-foot and the phalanges of the toes. Lacking individual names, the metatarsal bones are numbered from the medial side (the side of the great toe): the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal (often depicted with Roman numerals). The metatarsals are analogous to the metacarpal bones of the hand. The lengths of the metatarsal bones in humans are, in descending order: second, third, fourth, fifth and first. The five metatarsals are dorsally convex long
Ostromia addition, the ungual (claw) of the first digit of the hand is smaller than the corresponding first metacarpal, while in "Archaeopteryx" the claw is larger. The Haarlem specimen's metatarsals are also estimated to be proportionally longer than those of "Archaeopteryx" specimens. In addition, the Haarlem specimen shares several features with "Anchiornis". Most notably, they both have longitudinal furrows on the top and bottom sides of their manual phalanges (finger bones). While such structures can be a result of collapsed or broken bones (as is the case in several "Archaeopteryx" specimens), the straight, smooth edges of the furrows in "Ostromia" and