Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Durability and offloading performance of 3D-printed multilayer lattice for accommodative insoles.

Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials·2026

Same author

In Vivo Assessment of Distal Femur Fracture Motion via Weightbearing CT.

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society·2026

Same author

BoneDensityMapping: an R package for processing and visualizing bone density data.

Scientific reports·2026

Same author

Effects of First Metatarsophalangeal Osteoarthritis on Plantar Pressures Across Multiple Activities.

Journal of foot and ankle research·2026

Same author

Characterization of the Ideal Speed of Sound for Plantar Soft Tissue Using Quasi-Simultaneous Ultrasound and Computed Tomography in Cadaveric Feet.

Annals of biomedical engineering·2026

Same author

Using Three-Dimensional Quantitative CT Models to Compare Density Patterns Across Pelvic Fractures.

Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews·2026

Same journal

Computational Determination of Effective Working Length in Experimental Torsion Testing of Long Bones.

Journal of biomechanical engineering·2026

Same journal

Hierarchical Experimental Characterization of the Human Rib Cage for Nonlethal Projectile Impact Applications.

Journal of biomechanical engineering·2026

Same journal

An in vitro Experimental Model for Investigating Aortic Pressure Dynamics Under Blunt Thoracic Impacts.

Journal of biomechanical engineering·2026

Same journal

Editorial.

Journal of biomechanical engineering·2026

Same journal

Student Paper Competition of the 2025 ASME SB3C Summer Bioengineering Conference.

Journal of biomechanical engineering·2026

Same journal

Biomechanical Principles of Temporal Muscle Activation in Functional Movements: Implications for Stability and Movement Coordination.

Journal of biomechanical engineering·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Dissection, MicroCT Scanning and Morphometric Analyses of the Baculum

Dissection, MicroCT Scanning and Morphometric Analyses of the Baculum

Published on: March 19, 2017

Metatarsal Shape and Foot Type: A Geometric Morphometric Analysis.

Scott Telfer¹, Matthew W Kindig², Bruce J Sangeorzan³

¹Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Box 356500, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering

|November 2, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Metatarsal bone geometry differs significantly between foot types like pes cavus and pes planus, impacting injury risk. These distinct shapes also vary by sex, offering insights for anatomical and biomechanical models.

More Related Videos

Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly

Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly

Published on: March 11, 2022

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification

Published on: December 3, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Dissection, MicroCT Scanning and Morphometric Analyses of the Baculum

Dissection, MicroCT Scanning and Morphometric Analyses of the Baculum

Published on: March 19, 2017

Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly

Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly

Published on: March 11, 2022

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification

Published on: December 3, 2016

Area of Science:

Orthopedics and Biomechanics
Human Anatomy
Medical Imaging Analysis

Background:

Foot morphology, specifically pes planus (flatfoot) and pes cavus (high arch), is linked to pain and disability.
Understanding geometric bone differences can inform injury risk assessment and biomechanical modeling.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze geometric variations in metatarsal bones across different foot types (pes cavus, neutral, asymptomatic pes planus, symptomatic pes planus).
To investigate sex-based morphological differences in metatarsals.
To correlate foot type and sex with specific metatarsal shape characteristics.

Main Methods:

Geometric morphometric analysis of 65 metatarsal CT scans.
Categorization into four foot types.
Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) and permutation testing for shape differences.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for variation modes.

Main Results:

Significant metatarsal shape differences were observed across all foot types (p < 0.01), particularly the second metatarsal.
Pes cavus foot types exhibited reduced cross-sectional areas in sagittal and frontal planes.
Significant sex-based differences were found in the first and fourth metatarsals, with females showing reduced dimensions.

Conclusions:

Metatarsal bones possess distinct morphological characteristics tied to foot type and sex.
These findings enhance anatomical understanding and have implications for developing accurate foot models for biomechanical and finite-element analyses.