How to Pronounce Fourth Metatarsal
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Fourth Metatarsal Pronunciation
forth met-ah-TAR-sal
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
forth met
ah
TAR
stress here
sal
4 syllables
What is Fourth Metatarsal?
The metatarsal bone forming the base of the fourth toe. Morton's neuroma, a painful condition, often occurs between the third and fourth (or fourth and fifth) metatarsal heads.
Questions About Fourth Metatarsal
How do you pronounce 'fourth metatarsal'?
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Say it like this: **FORTH met-ah-TAR-sal**. The word 'forth' sounds like the number or direction, 'meta' rhymes with 'better,' and the stress falls on the last syllable: TAR. Put them together smoothly, and you've got it right.
Which syllable gets the stress in 'metatarsal'?
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The stress lands on the third syllable: met-ah-**TAR**-sal. Many people accidentally stress the first syllable (MET-ah-tarsal), but that's incorrect. Remember: the 'TAR' part is the loud, emphasized part.
How do you break 'metatarsal' into syllables?
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It breaks down into four parts: **met-ah-TAR-sal**. Each syllable gets its own beat when you say it slowly, and the stress lands on the third one (TAR).
What does 'metatarsal' actually mean?
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In plain English, a metatarsal is one of the long bones in the middle part of your foot, between your ankle and your toes. Your foot has five metatarsal bones, one for each toe.
What do the word parts 'meta' and 'tarsal' come from?
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'Meta' comes from Greek and means 'beyond' or 'after,' while 'tarsal' comes from the Greek word for ankle bones. Together, 'metatarsal' literally means the bones that come after (or beyond) the ankle bones.
What's a common mispronunciation of 'metatarsal'?
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People often say **MET-ah-tarsal** (stressing the first syllable) or **met-ah-tar-SAL** (stressing the last syllable). The correct way is met-ah-**TAR**-sal, with the stress on the third syllable.
How would you use 'fourth metatarsal' in a sentence?
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You might say: 'The doctor pointed to the fourth metatarsal on the X-ray, which is the bone that supports your fourth toe.' This helps you understand which specific bone is being discussed.
Are there related words that use 'metatarsal'?
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Yes! You might hear **metatarsus** (the whole group of metatarsal bones together) or **metatarsal head** (the rounded end of a metatarsal bone). All three terms share the same root and relate to the bones in the middle of your foot.