Over the plantar surfaces of the metatarso-phalangeal joints of all the toes.
I calculate that there are at least fifty-two separate bursæ (about one hundred on the two sides of the body) in the normal or fully developed state, though of these many will be found either absent or with very little of the full structure of a bursa. One small but significant point may be referred to here. We are all familiar with the prominence of the knuckles of the hand and the very efficient bursæ which cover them, but most persons do not recognise that the foot has no such knuckles (or prominent metatarso-phalangeal joints) and no bursæ over these joints, except that of the great toe which happens to be very much more exposed to friction and has a much greater range of action than the other four metatarso-phalangeal joints. This might be called by some persons a beautiful bit of adaptation for locomotion and by others an equally admirable bit of adaptation produced by locomotion.
Examination of Two Still-born Children.
Some further light may be thrown upon the human bursæ by an examination of two still-born children I dissected in 1908 in Lewisham infirmary, and give here the results as to the more important subcutaneous bursæ.
Male Child: full term.
Shoulder: bursæ under acromion processes absent.
Elbow: bursæ over outer condyle of humerus present.
" " inner " " absent.
" " olecranon both present.
Wrist: bursæ over styloid process of ulna present.
" " " " of radius present.