[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Long plantar ligament [Joints and ligaments](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/joints-and-ligaments/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Long plantar ligament The long plantar ligament is the longest ligament of the foot, under the heel bone and cuboid; it helps hold up the arch. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=long_plantar_lig&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The longest ligament of the foot, running under the heel bone to the cuboid and the bases of the outer metatarsals. ## What it does Helps hold up the arch of the foot. It roofs the groove for the fibularis longus tendon. ## Key points - Turns the groove on the cuboid into a tunnel for the fibularis longus tendon - One of the passive ties of the arch, between the [plantar fascia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/plantar-aponeurosis/) (most superficial) and the short plantar and spring ligaments (deepest) - Lies on the bones, deep to all four muscle layers of the sole ## Key facts **Attaches** Plantar [calcaneus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/calcaneus/) in front of tuberosity to cuboid ridge and bases of metatarsals 2–5 (some texts: 3–5) **Function** Supports lateral longitudinal arch; converts cuboid groove into tunnel for [fibularis longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fibularis-longus-muscle/) **Tight in** Weight-bearing (arch flattening) ## Relations **Superficial** Muscles of the sole ([quadratus plantae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/quadratus-plantae-muscle/), abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi) and the [lateral plantar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-plantar-nerve/) and vessels **Deep** [Short plantar ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/plantar-calcaneocuboid-ligament/), separated from it by a thin layer of fat, and the calcaneocuboid joint **Contents** [Fibularis longus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-fibularis-longus/), in its sheath, passing through the tunnel between the ligament and the [cuboid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cuboid-bone/) groove on its way to the [medial cuneiform](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-cuneiform-bone/) and [first metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/first/) **Medial** [Tibialis posterior tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-tibialis-posterior/) slips to the cuneiforms and metatarsal bases, and the [spring ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/plantar-calcaneonavicular-ligament/) further medially ## How to find it Not palpable. In dissection it appears as a broad, shiny band once the plantar muscle layers are lifted off the calcaneus and cuboid; on MRI it is a long dark band under the calcaneus and cuboid on sagittal images. ## On imaging MRI (sagittal and coronal) shows it as a low-signal band from the plantar calcaneus to the cuboid ridge and metatarsal bases. X-rays may show an os peroneum at the tunnel entrance. ## Clinical notes - Complete release of the plantar fascia shifts load to this ligament and the lateral column, which can cause lateral midfoot pain - Painful os peroneum syndrome: the sesamoid in the fibularis longus tendon at the cuboid can fracture or irritate the tendon where it enters the tunnel - In Charcot collapse of the midfoot, failure of the plantar ligaments lets the cuboid drop and become a pressure point where ulcers form under the lateral midfoot ## Anatomical variants - An os peroneum, a small sesamoid in the fibularis longus tendon beside the cuboid, is present in some people; texts differ on how often - Its distal fibres reach the bases of metatarsals 2–5 in some descriptions and 3–5 in others ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What are the attachments of the long plantar ligament? From the plantar calcaneus in front of the tuberosity to the cuboid ridge and the bases of metatarsals 2–5 (some texts: 3–5). ## Which tendon passes through the tunnel formed by the long plantar ligament and the cuboid groove? The fibularis longus tendon, on its way to the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal. ## Which arch does the long plantar ligament mainly support? The lateral longitudinal arch. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/long-plantar-ligament/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** ligamentum plantare longum TA2 1934 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Ligamento plantar largo **English (TA2)** Long plantar ligament ## Related - [Short plantar ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/plantar-calcaneocuboid-ligament/) - [Fibularis longus tendon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tendon-of-fibularis-longus/) - [Calcaneus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/calcaneus/) - [Lateral cuneiform](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-cuneiform-bone/) - [Medial cuneiform](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-cuneiform-bone/) - [First metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/first/) - [Second metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/second/) - [Third metatarsal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/third/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Arches of the Foot](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587361/); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Foot Joints](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536941/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/long-plantar-ligament/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/long-plantar-ligament/