The cuboid bone is one of the tarsal bones located lateral to the lateral cuneiform bone and has an important articulation with the calcaneus.
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Summary
location: lies laterally in the midfoot
articulations: proximally with the calcaneus, medially with the lateral cuneiform and navicular, and distally with the fourth and fifth metatarsals
blood supply: medial and lateral plantar arteries
Gross anatomy
Osteology
The cuboid is a wedge-shaped bone that is widest at its medial edge and narrowest at its lateral edge. It has three main articular surfaces: anterior, medial, and posterior.
A vertical ridge separates its anterior surface into two facets, allowing the base of the fourth and fifth metatarsals to be articulated.
Its medial surface is oval, allowing articulation with the lateral cuneiform and sometimes the navicular.
The inferior (or plantar) surface of the cuboid has a tuberosity, where the peroneus longus muscles passes to insert into the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform.
Articulations
posteriorly with the calcaneus at the calcaneocuboid joint
anteriorly with the fourth and fifth metatarsals
medially with the lateral cuneiform and navicular
Attachments
Musculotendinous
Flexor hallucis brevis arises from the medial cuboid, adjacent lateral cuneiform and tibialis posterior tendon.
Ligamentous
long plantar ligament: connects the calcaneus and cuboid
short plantar ligament: connects the calcaneus and cuboid
Relations
lateral longitudinal arch: consists of calcaneus, cuboid and fourth and fifth metatarsal bones, from posterior to anterior
transverse arch: consists of the bases of the metatarsal bones, cuboid and all cuneiforms
Arterial supply
The cuboid is supplied by deep branches of the medial and lateral plantar arteries which are branches of the posterior tibial artery.
Innervation
The cuboid is innervated by branches of the lateral plantar, sural, and deep fibular nerves.
Variant anatomy
An additional os vesalianum bone may arise between the fifth metatarsal and cuboid.
Development
Ossification
The cuboid ossifies in cartilage at the ninth month.
Related pathology
cuboid syndrome describes pain associated with damage to the calcaneocuboid joint and associated ligaments
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