Data from: A phalanx in the metatarsus: the human first ray preserves ancestral digital identity
Data files
Mar 30, 2026 version files 28.51 KB
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Camasta_FirstRay_MorphometricData.xlsx
24.50 KB
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README.md
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Abstract
Length and width of 100 dry human foot specimens from the Department of Anatomy from the PA College of Podiatric Medicine (now Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine) were recorded there while I was a medical student in 1990. We used a digital caliper to record length and width of metatarsals 1-5, the first proximal and distal phalanges, and the proximal, middle, and distal phalanges of the 2nd toe.
Author
Craig A. Camasta, DPM, FACFAS
Private Practice, Atlanta, GA, USA
Faculty, The Podiatry Institute, Decatur, GA, USA
Dataset Overview
This dataset contains morphometric measurements from 100 adult human foot specimens. The data were collected to evaluate structural relationships between the first ray (hallux) and lesser rays, with particular focus on comparisons between the first metatarsal and phalangeal elements of the second toe.
Measurements include proximodistal length and mediolateral width of selected metatarsals and phalanges from the first and second rays, as well as metatarsals three through five.
Specimen Information
* Sample size: 100 adult human feet
* Specimens: Dry skeletal preparations
* Inclusion criteria:
o No gross deformity
o No visible taphonomic damage
* Laterality: Not specified
Measurement Methods
* All measurements were obtained using digital calipers with a precision of 0.01 mm (0.001 mm)
* Measurements were recorded in millimeters (mm)
Definitions:
* Length: Maximum proximodistal dimension of each bone
* Width: Maximum mediolateral diaphyseal width
All measurements were performed directly on dry bone specimens. All measurements were recorded directly in millimeters and were not converted from other units.
File Description
File name: Camasta_FirstRay_MorphometricData.xlsx
* Single worksheet containing raw measurement data
* Each row represents one specimen
* Each column represents a specific anatomical measurement
No formulas, filters, or derived variables are included in the dataset.
Column Definitions
Column Name
Description
Units
Subject #
Unique specimen identifier
Column Definitions
Subject #: Unique specimen identifier (no units)
1st Met Length: First metatarsal (MT1) length (mm)
1st Met Width: First metatarsal (MT1) width (mm)
Hallux PP Length: Proximal phalanx of the hallux (PP1) length (mm)
Hallux PP Width: Proximal phalanx of the hallux (PP1) width (mm)
Hallux DP Length: Distal phalanx of the hallux (DP1) length (mm)
Hallux DP Width: Distal phalanx of the hallux (DP1) width (mm)
2nd Met Length: Second metatarsal (MT2) length (mm)
2nd Met Width: Second metatarsal (MT2) width (mm)
2nd PP Length: Proximal phalanx of second toe (PP2) length (mm)
2nd PP Width: Proximal phalanx of second toe (PP2) width (mm)
2nd MP Length: Middle phalanx of second toe (MP2) length (mm)
2nd MP Width: Middle phalanx of second toe (MP2) width (mm)
2nd DP Length: Distal phalanx of second toe (DP2) length (mm)
2nd DP Width: Distal phalanx of second toe (DP2) width (mm)
3rd Met Length: Third metatarsal (MT3) length (mm)
3rd Met Width: Third metatarsal (MT3) width (mm)
4th Met Length: Fourth metatarsal (MT4) length (mm)
4th Met Width: Fourth metatarsal (MT4) width (mm)
5th Met Length: Fifth metatarsal (MT5) length (mm)
5th Met Width: Fifth metatarsal (MT5) width (mm)
Abbreviations
* MT = Metatarsal
* PP = Proximal Phalanx
* MP = Middle Phalanx
* DP = Distal Phalanx
Data Characteristics
* All measurements are recorded in millimeters (mm)
* Dataset contains raw measurements only (no calculated ratios or transformations)
* No missing values or imputed data are present
Intended Use
This dataset is intended for morphometric, anatomical, and comparative analyses of the human forefoot, including investigations of structural homology, scaling relationships, and evolutionary morphology.
Contact Information
For questions regarding this dataset, please contact:
Craig A. Camasta, DPM, FACFAS
Human subjects data
The dry human specimens used for this study were de-identified and were held by the Department of Anatomy at the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine (now Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine), and these measurements were taken in 1990 while I was a student at that institution.