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Tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone

The tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal is a prominent bony projection located at the proximal lateral aspect of the fifth metatarsal bone. It forms an important anatomical landmark on the lateral border of the foot and serves as a major site for tendon and ligament attachment.

It is of particular importance in foot anatomy, trauma evaluation, sports medicine, and musculoskeletal imaging due to its vulnerability to injury and frequent involvement in lateral foot pain.

Synonyms

  • Styloid process of the fifth metatarsal

  • Tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal base

Location

  • Situated at the proximal end of the fifth metatarsal

  • Projects laterally and posteriorly

  • Forms the most lateral bony prominence of the forefoot

  • Anterior to the cuboid bone

  • Lateral to the fourth metatarsal base

  • Subcutaneous and easily palpable along the lateral foot

Anatomical components

  • Osseous tuberosity composed of cortical and cancellous bone

  • Tendon attachment site:

    • Peroneus brevis tendon inserts here

  • Ligament attachment:

    • Lateral band of the plantar aponeurosis

  • Articular relationship:

    • Adjacent to the fifth tarsometatarsal joint

Relations

Anteriorly:

  • Shaft of the fifth metatarsal

Posteriorly:

  • Peroneus brevis tendon insertion

Medially:

  • Base of the fourth metatarsal

  • Intermetatarsal ligaments

Laterally:

  • Subcutaneous tissue and skin

Inferiorly:

  • Plantar aponeurosis

Superiorly:

  • Dorsal soft tissues of the foot

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP, oblique, and lateral foot views):

  • Tuberosity: Seen as a lateral bony projection at the base of the fifth metatarsal

  • Cortical margins: Well-defined and continuous

  • Orientation: Projects laterally and slightly posteriorly

  • Best seen on: Oblique and lateral views

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Tuberosity: Clearly defined bony prominence at the proximal fifth metatarsal

  • Cortical shell: Smooth and sharply outlined

  • Trabecular bone: Normal cancellous pattern

  • Spatial detail: Excellent for evaluating contour and subtle cortical irregularities

  • Relationship to cuboid: Well demonstrated

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal intensity

  • Marrow of tuberosity: High signal intensity

  • Tuberosity contour: Clearly delineated

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortex: Low signal

  • Surrounding soft tissues: Intermediate-to-high signal

  • Peroneus brevis tendon: Low-signal structure inserting onto the tuberosity

STIR:

  • Bone marrow: Uniform fat-suppressed signal

  • Tuberosity margins: Well visualized

  • Tendon insertion: Clearly seen against suppressed marrow

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Bone marrow: Fat suppressed

  • Tendon and ligament attachments: Well delineated as low-signal structures

CT VRT 3D image

Tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone 3d

MRI image

Tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

MRI image

Tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000_00001

X Ray image

Tuberosity of fifth metatarsal bone