Lateral cuneiform !
The lateral cuneiform is a wedge-shaped midfoot bone behind the third metatarsal, next to the cuboid.
Official name: Lateral cuneiform bone
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What it is
A wedge-shaped midfoot bone behind the third metatarsal, next to the cuboid.
What it does
Their wedge shape helps form the cross arch of the foot.
Key facts
- Joints with
- Navicular; intermediate cuneiform; cuboid; metatarsals 2–4
- Landmarks
- Wedge with broad dorsal base, helps form transverse arch; slip of tibialis posterior; partial origin of flexor hallucis brevis
Relations
- Behind
- Navicular, lateral facet
- In front
- Base of the third metatarsal, with the sides of the second and fourth bases
- Medial
- Intermediate cuneiform and the side of the second metatarsal base
- Lateral
- Cuboid
- Above
- Extensor digitorum brevis and the lateral tarsal artery cross the dorsum
- Below
- Part of the origin of flexor hallucis brevis; the fibularis longus tendon crosses beneath on its way to the medial side
How to find it
Lies in the middle of the dorsum of the midfoot, behind the third metatarsal base and medial to the cuboid; it is found by following the third metatarsal back to its base.
On imaging
Oblique foot view for the third tarsometatarsal joint and its alignment; CT for subtle fractures in Lisfranc injuries.
Common problems
- Can be involved in Lisfranc (midfoot) injuries and midfoot arthritis.
Clinical notes
- Lisfranc patterns (Hardcastle/Myerson: homolateral, isolated, divergent) often involve its joint with the third metatarsal
- Isolated fractures are rare and usually part of a crush or Lisfranc injury
- Stress fractures of the cuneiforms are rare; in runners they appear on MRI or a bone scan while plain X-rays are still normal
Development
Ossifies during the first year, the earliest of the three cuneiforms.
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which bones form the middle column of the midfoot with the lateral cuneiform?
The intermediate cuneiform and the second and third metatarsals; it is the stiffest part of the midfoot.
On the oblique foot view, which alignment is checked at the lateral cuneiform?
The medial border of the third metatarsal lines up with the medial border of the lateral cuneiform.
Which cuneiform ossifies first?
The lateral cuneiform, during the first year of life.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- os cuneiforme laterale TA2 1488
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Hueso cuneiforme lateral DeCS D013639
- English (TA2)
- Lateral cuneiform bone
- Also called
- third cuneiform · Cuneiform 3 · os cuneiforme tertium
Related
- Navicular
- Intermediate cuneiform
- Cuboid
- Third metatarsal
- Adductor hallucis
- Extensor digitorum brevis
- Extensor hallucis brevis
- Lisfranc ligaments
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); DeCS; Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Foot and Ankle.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
