The dorsal metatarsal ligament is a ligament — connective tissue that joins bones — within the foot, located in the soles of the feet. In Latin, the ligament is called ligamenta metatarsalia dorsalia. These ligaments travel transversely (horizontally) from the dorsal (top) coverings of metatarsal bones, located behind the bones of the toes, to the dorsal coverings of other metatarsal bones that are located across from them. The ligaments are located close to the bones’ proximal edges, which are the edges closest to the back of the foot.
The primary function of the metatarsal ligaments is to provide added stability to the metatarsal joints. The metatarsal joints are condyloid joints that have round or elliptical surfaces and travel near the shallowest cavities of the limbs’ proximal phalanges (the proximal phalanges refer to the bones at the toes’ base).
The dorsal metatarsal ligament is situated in close proximity to muscles and ligaments such as the tendon of the tibialis anticus muscle, the plantar intermetatar ligament, the long plantar ligament, the tendon peroneus longus muscle, the plantar cuboideonavicular ligament, the plantar tarsometatarsal ligament and the tendon of the tibialis posticus muscle.