Midfoot

The midfoot is composed of five tarsal bones: the navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiform bones (medial, intermediate; a.k.a. middle, and lateral).

Navicular:

The navicular is a curved bone shaped like a boat, located on the medial side of the foot. It is positioned in front of the talus’s head and behind the cuneiform bones.

• The posterior surface is concave and forms an articulation with the talus’s head, specifically part of the talocalcaneonavicular joint. This joint involves not only the navicular but also the calcaneus and the spring ligament (or the plantar calcaneonavicular ligament) located in the sole of the foot)

• The anterior surface is convex and articulates with the medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiform bones

• The lateral surface articulates with the cuboid bone

• The medial surface provides attachment for the tendon of the tibialis posterior muscle

Cuboid:

Cuboid is a bone with a cube-like shape, positioned laterally to the navicular and in front of the calcaneus.

• The posterior surface articulates with the calcaneus (forming the calcaneocuboid joint)

• The anterior surface has two facets that articulate with the 4th and 5th metatarsal bones (forming the metatarsophalangeal joints)

• The medial surface articulates with the navicular and lateral cuneiform bones

• The lateral surface features a notch through which the peroneus longus tendon passes before entering the sole of the foot

Cuneiforms:

There are three cuneiform bones located in front of the navicular.

• Anteriorly, medial cuneiform articulates with the 1st metatarsal, the intermediate with the 2nd metatarsal, and the lateral cuneiform with the 3rd metatarsal bone. The lateral cuneiform also articulates with the cuboid laterally.

• Posteriorly, all cuneiforms articulate with the navicular bone.

Movements: All intertarsal joints contribute to inversion (sole facing medially) and eversion (sole facing laterally) movements of the foot.