The big toe, also known as the hallux, is composed of two bones called phalanges: the proximal phalanx and the distal phalanx. These two bones form the interphalangeal joint of the hallux. The joint connecting the big toe to the foot is called the first metatarsophalangeal joint (1st MTPJ). This joint connects the big toe's proximal phalanx to the first metatarsal bone.
Understanding the Big Toe's Structure
- Phalanges: The two phalanges (proximal and distal) are the actual bones making up the big toe itself.
- Metatarsal: The first metatarsal is the long bone in the foot that connects to the big toe at the 1st MTPJ.
- Sesamoids: Two small, pea-shaped bones (sesamoids) are located under the 1st MTPJ, embedded in a tendon. They assist with weight bearing.
Several medical conditions affect the big toe's bones and joints. For example, a bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe (1st MTPJ) due to misalignment of the bones in the front of the foot. Hallux rigidus is a type of arthritis that affects the 1st MTPJ, causing stiffness.
The provided references consistently highlight the big toe's two phalanges as its primary bony components and the metatarsophalangeal joint's significance.
