Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study Login Register
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Cuboid bone

Recommended video: Cuboid bone [02:38]
Anatomy and function of the cuboid bone.

The cuboid bone is a short bone in the lateral part of the foot, located on the distal row of the tarsal bones. It is square shaped, hence the name, and is the main bone of the mid foot, due to the several articular surfaces it possesses. Another key function of the cuboid is that it acts as a pulley to the peroneus longus tendon, which lies between the calcaneus proximally and the fourth and fifth metatarsals distally.

Contents
  1. Articulations
  2. Bony landmarks
  3. Vascular supply
  4. Innervation
  5. Cuboid syndrome
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Articulations

The cuboid articulates with four bones of the foot:

  • the calcaneus posteriorly
  • the lateral cuneiform medially
  • the fourth metatarsal anteromedially 
  • the fifth metatarsal anterolaterally 

On occasion there may be a fifth facet for articulation with the navicular, with research suggesting that this cubo-navicular joint occurs in a quarter of ‘normal’ feet. The likelihood of a cubo-navicular joint being present is increased in over-pronated feet.

To provide articulation with the calcaneus, the navicular has a large triangular proximal surface. The cuboid has a distal convex surface, with a medial quadrilateral facet for articulation with the fourth metatarsal, and a larger facet for articulation with the fifth metatarsal. There is a large oval facet medially for articulation with the lateral cuneiform. On the occasions where there is a navicular facet, it is small and oval, just behind the larger lateral cuneiform articulation.

Bony landmarks

The dorsal surface, directed upward and lateralward, is rough, for the attachment of ligaments.

The plantar surface presents in front a deep groove, the peroneal sulcus, which runs obliquely forward and medialward; it lodges the tendon of the peroneus longus, and is bounded behind by a prominent ridge, to which the long plantar ligament is attached.

The lateral surface presents a deep notch formed by the commencement of the peroneal sulcus.

Cuboid bone (inferior view)

The posterior surface is smooth, triangular, and concavo-convex, for articulation with the anterior surface of the calcaneus; its infero-medial angle projects backward as a process which underlies and supports the anterior end of the calcaneus.

The anterior surface, of smaller size, but also irregularly triangular, is divided by a vertical ridge into two facets: the medial, quadrilateral in form, which articulates with the fourth metatarsal and the lateral, larger and more triangular one, which articulates with the fifth metatarsal.

The medial surface is broad, irregularly quadrilateral, and presents at its middle and upper part a smooth oval facet, for articulation with the third cuneiform. Ocassionally, there is a smaller facet behind this for articulation with the navicular. The surface is rough in the rest of its extent, for the attachment of strong interosseous ligaments.

Vascular supply

Deep branches of the medial and lateral plantar arteries (descending from the posterior tibial artery) supply the cuboid, with the deep venous arch providing venous drainage.

Medial plantar artery (inferior view)

Innervation

  • Lateral plantar
  • Sural
  • Deep fibular nerves
Lateral plantar nerve (inferior view)

Cuboid bone: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!