Calcaneonavicular ligament
Ligamentum calcaneonaviculare
- Synonym: Lateral calcaneonavicular ligament
- Related terms: Calcaneonavicular ligament (Bifurcate ligament)
Definition
The calcaneonavicular ligament refers to the band of connective tissue that connects the anterior process of the calcaneus to the lateral aspect of the navicular bone. It is most commonly described as the calcaneonavicular part of the bifurcate ligament, which is a Y-shaped structure at the dorsolateral aspect of the midfoot. The bifurcate ligament has two limbs: the calcaneonavicular ligament and the calcaneocuboid ligament. The calcaneonavicular limb runs anteromedially from the calcaneus to the dorsolateral navicular, providing stability to the calcaneonavicular articulation and supporting the lateral column of the midfoot.
This structure is distinct from the plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament complex, which is located on the plantar and medial aspect of the foot and supports the talar head and medial longitudinal arch
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