Final answer:
The sesamoid bones in question are located in the tendons of the flexor hallucis brevis muscle at the first metatarsal bone's connection to the big toe. These bones help protect the tendon and assist in overcoming compressive forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sesamoid bones referred to in the question are two small, round bones found within the tendons that run to the big toe, or hallux. These bones are typically located in the tendon of the flexor hallucis brevis muscle, situated at the connection of the first metatarsal bone to the big toe. Their primary function is to protect the tendons from stress and help them overcome compressive forces.
The first metatarsal bone, being shorter and thicker than the others, articulates proximally with the cuneiform bones and has a distal head that forms the metatarsophalangeal joint with the phalanges of the toe. The big toe itself possesses two phalanges - the proximal and distal phalanges. Unlike the other toes, the hallux does not have a middle phalanx.