[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Second toe [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Second toe The second toe, next to the big toe, has three small bones (phalanges) and helps with balance and grip. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=toe_2&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The second toe, made of three small bones (phalanges). ## What it does The smaller toes help with balance and grip when you stand and walk. ## Key points - Hammer toe most often affects the second toe - A plantar plate tear lets it drift up and towards the big toe (crossover second toe), often with hallux valgus - When it is longer than the big toe, its MTP joint takes more load and is prone to plantar plate injury ## Key facts **Joints with** Second metatarsal (MTP joint); proximal and distal interphalangeal joints **Landmarks** Three phalanges; FDL to distal, FDB to middle phalanx; extensor expansion; first and second dorsal interossei (both sides); lumbrical ## Relations **Behind** [Second metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/second/) head and the plantar plate **Medial** [Big toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/great-toe/); the first dorsal interosseous and the first lumbrical **Lateral** [Third toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/third-toe/); the second dorsal interosseous **Above** [Extensor digitorum longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-longus/) and [extensor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-brevis/) tendons forming the extensor hood **Below** [Flexor digitorum longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-longus/) and [flexor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-brevis/) tendons; plantar [digital nerves](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/palmar-digital-nerves/) and arteries on each side ## How to find it The MTP joint is felt under the dorsal [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) just behind the web. Tenderness under the second MTP joint, on the sole, points to the plantar plate or the capsule. ## Examination - Vertical stress (drawer) test: pushing the proximal phalanx upwards on the metatarsal head; excess movement or pain suggests plantar plate insufficiency ## On imaging Standing views show MTP subluxation and the toe's deviation; ultrasound or MRI shows plantar plate tears. ## Common problems - Hammer toe or claw toe: the toe bends up at the base and down at the middle joint, often with corns. - Fractures from stubbing or dropping something on the toe. ## Clinical notes - The second toe can be transferred to the hand to rebuild a finger or a thumb - Plantar plate tears are often preceded by pain under the second metatarsal head and swelling at the toe's base ## Anatomical variants - In many people the second toe reaches beyond the big toe (a 'Greek' or Morton's foot), usually because the [first metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/first/) is relatively short ## Development The toes separate when the cells between the digital rays of the embryonic foot plate die off; if this fails the toes stay joined (syndactyly), most often the second and third. ## Related conditions - [Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/smith-lemli-opitz-syndrome/) - [Lymphoedema](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/lymphoedema/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which toe is most often affected by hammer toe? The second toe. ## What causes a crossover second toe? A plantar plate tear that lets the second toe drift up and towards the big toe, often with hallux valgus. ## What does the vertical stress (drawer) test of the second toe assess? Plantar plate insufficiency: excess movement or pain when the proximal phalanx is pushed upwards on the metatarsal head. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/second-toe/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** digitus secundus pedis; phalanges pedis TA2 172 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Segundo dedo del pie DeCS D014034 **English (TA2)** Second toe **Also called** second digit of foot · digit 2 of foot · phalangeal bones of foot ## Related - [Second metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/second/) - [Toe arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/dorsal-digital-arteries-of-foot/) - [Dorsal interossei](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/dorsal-interossei-muscles-of-foot/) - [Toe extensor tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendons-of-extensor-digitorum-longus/) - [Extensor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-brevis/) - [Flexor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-brevis/) - [Toe flexor tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-flexor-digitorum-longus/) - [Lumbricals](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lumbrical-muscles-of-foot/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=23483); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Foot and Ankle](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546698/); [8.5 Development of the Appendicular Skeleton](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/8-5-development-of-the-appendicular-skeleton) (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/second-toe/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/second-toe/