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# 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 points

- With the intermediate cuneiform and the second and third metatarsals it forms the middle column, the stiffest part of the midfoot; the lateral column (cuboid with metatarsals 4 and 5) moves most
- On the oblique foot view the medial border of the third metatarsal lines up with its medial border
- The first cuneiform to ossify, in the first year of life

## 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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tibialis-posterior-muscle/); partial origin of flexor hallucis brevis

## Relations

**Behind**
[Navicular](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/navicular-bone/), lateral facet

**In front**
Base of the [third metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/third/), with the sides of the second and fourth bases

**Medial**
[Intermediate cuneiform](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/intermediate-cuneiform-bone/) and the side of the [second metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/second/) base

**Lateral**
[Cuboid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cuboid-bone/)

**Above**
[Extensor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-brevis/) and the lateral tarsal artery cross the dorsum

**Below**
Part of the origin of [flexor hallucis brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-hallucis-brevis/); the [fibularis longus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-fibularis-longus/) 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.

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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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/navicular-bone/)
- [Intermediate cuneiform](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/intermediate-cuneiform-bone/)
- [Cuboid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cuboid-bone/)
- [Third metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/third/)
- [Adductor hallucis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/adductor-hallucis/)
- [Extensor digitorum brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-brevis/)
- [Extensor hallucis brevis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-hallucis-brevis/)
- [Lisfranc ligaments](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cuneometatarsal-interosseous-ligaments/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=23476&filter=ths_termall&q=Huesos%20Tarsianos); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Foot and Ankle](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546698/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-cuneiform-bone/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-cuneiform-bone/