[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/) › Third toe [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Third toe The third toe, the middle 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_3&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The third 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 - Toe deformities: claw toe = MTP extended with both interphalangeal joints bent; hammer toe = proximal interphalangeal joint bent; mallet toe = distal joint bent - Numbness on the facing sides of the third and fourth toes points to a Morton neuroma in the third web space - The [axis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axis/) for toe abduction and adduction runs through the second toe, so the third toe has a plantar interosseous on its medial side ## Key facts **Joints with** Third metatarsal (MTP joint); proximal and distal interphalangeal joints **Landmarks** Three phalanges; FDL to distal, FDB to middle phalanx; extensor expansion; third dorsal interosseous (lateral), first plantar interosseous (medial); lumbrical ## Relations **Behind** [Third metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/third/) head and the plantar plate **Medial** [Second toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/second-toe/); the first plantar interosseous and the second lumbrical **Lateral** [Fourth toe](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fourth-toe/); the third web space with the common plantar digital nerve **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 **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 ## How to find it Its MTP joint is felt behind the web on the dorsum. The [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) of its lateral side and of the medial side of the fourth toe is supplied by the third web space nerve. ## Examination - Web space compression: pressing between the third and [fourth metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fourth/) heads reproduces neuroma pain that spreads into the toes ## On imaging Dorsoplantar, oblique and lateral foot views; the lesser toes overlap on the lateral view, so the oblique is the most useful for phalangeal fractures. Radiographs also show the joint positions of claw or hammer toe. A Morton neuroma in the third web space is not seen on radiographs; ultrasound or MRI shows it as a small mass between the third and fourth metatarsal heads. ## 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 - Claw toes affecting several lesser toes together suggest a neurological cause such as diabetic neuropathy or Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease - The common digital nerve of the third web space classically receives fibres from both the medial and lateral plantar nerves, one explanation for neuroma here ## Development Its three phalanges are first modelled in cartilage; each then ossifies from a primary centre in the shaft and just one secondary centre, so each phalanx has a single growth plate. ## Memory aid PAD and DAB: [Plantar interossei](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/plantar-interossei-muscles/) ADduct, Dorsal interossei ABduct; in the foot the axis runs through the second toe. ## Related conditions - [Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/smith-lemli-opitz-syndrome/) - [Morton neuroma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/morton-neuroma/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## How do claw toe, hammer toe and mallet toe differ? Claw: MTP extended, both interphalangeal joints bent; hammer: proximal interphalangeal joint bent; mallet: distal joint bent. ## Numbness on the facing sides of the third and fourth toes suggests what? A Morton neuroma in the third web space. ## Why does the third toe have a plantar interosseous on its medial side? In the foot the axis for toe abduction and adduction runs through the second toe. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/third-toe/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** digitus tertius pedis; phalanges pedis TA2 173 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Tercer dedo del pie DeCS D014034 **English (TA2)** Third toe **Also called** third digit of foot · digit 3 of foot · phalangeal bones of foot ## Related - [Third metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/third/) - [Toe arteries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/dorsal-digital-arteries-of-foot/) - [Toe extensor tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendons-of-extensor-digitorum-longus/) - [Flexor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-digitorum-brevis/) - [Toe flexor tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-flexor-digitorum-longus/) - [MTP ligaments and plantar plate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/collateral-metatarsophalangeal-ligaments/) - [Plantar interossei](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/plantar-interossei-muscles/) - [Toe joint capsules](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/capsules-of-metatarsophalangeal-and-interphalangeal-joints-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/third-toe/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/third-toe/