
The cuboid bone is one of the seven tarsal bones of the foot. It is located on the lateral aspect of the foot, next to the navicular and lateral cuneiform bones, and is roughly cubical in shape. The only muscle attached to the cuboid bone is a plantar branch of the tibialis posterior. The cuboid is also associated with the peroneus longus muscle, which passes through a groove in the bone to insert into the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform. The peroneus longus muscle plays a role in load transfer across the forefoot and can cause cuboid subluxation during rapid plantar flexion and inversion. Cuboid syndrome is a condition characterised by lateral midfoot pain and is believed to be caused by a disruption of the calcaneocuboid joint, resulting in irritation of the joint capsule, ligaments, and peroneus longus tendon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle | Peroneus longus |
| Bone shape | Cubical, wedge-shaped |
| Bone structure | Tarsal, midfoot, lateral, distal row |
| Articulations | Calcaneus, navicular, lateral cuneiform, fourth metatarsal, fifth metatarsal |
| Syndromes | Cuboid syndrome, Lisfranc injury |
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What You'll Learn

The peroneus longus muscle passes through the cuboid bone
The cuboid bone is one of the seven tarsal bones of the foot. It is located on the lateral aspect of the foot, anterior to the calcaneus, next to the navicular and lateral cuneiform bones, and posterior to the fourth and fifth metatarsal. The cuboid is roughly cubical in shape, with a dorsal surface that is rough for the attachment of ligaments.
The cuboid bone plays a crucial role in maintaining the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot, contributing to the stability and mobility of the lateral column. It also helps to bear weight and manage stress forces during standing and walking. The bone's shape and articulation with surrounding structures, such as the calcaneus, navicular, and metatarsals, are essential for these functions.
The peroneus longus muscle's interaction with the cuboid bone is of particular interest in understanding conditions like cuboid syndrome. This syndrome involves pain and dysfunction in the lateral midfoot region, often related to irritation of the peroneus longus tendon. Treatment approaches, such as manipulation, taping, orthoses, and padding, aim to alleviate pain and restore proper function to the cuboid and its associated structures, including the peroneus longus muscle.
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The cuboid is a pulley for the peroneus longus tendon
The cuboid bone is one of the seven tarsal bones of the foot. It is roughly cubical in shape and is located on the lateral aspect of the foot. The cuboid is the most lateral of the bones in the distal row of the tarsus. The cuboid is a pulley for the peroneus longus tendon. The peroneus longus tendon forms a sling around the lateral and plantar aspects of the cuboid before inserting on the plantar aspect of the lateral first metatarsal base and medial cuneiform. The cuboid provides a groove for the peroneus longus tendon to pass through. This groove is called the peroneal sulcus. The peroneal sulcus is a deep groove that runs obliquely forward and medialward. The peroneus longus tendon lodges inside this groove.
The peroneus longus tendon plays a role in the development of cuboid syndrome. Cuboid syndrome is a common source of lateral midfoot pain in athletes. It is believed to arise from a forceful eversion of the cuboid while the calcaneus is inverted, with resultant disruption of the CC joint congruity. The peroneus longus imparts an eversion moment on the cuboid. The cuboid acts as a fulcrum, and the tendon then applies a force on the cuboid causing infero-medial displacement.
Cuboid syndrome may be more prevalent in individuals with pronated feet due to the increased moment arm of the peroneus longus. An MRI of the ankle rarely but clearly shows cuboid pulley lesions, which themselves are not likely to cause localized pain. Cuboid pulley lesions are associated with peroneal tenosynovitis, Achilles enthesitis, and clinically diagnosed inflammatory arthritis.
Cuboid syndrome is an easily misdiagnosed condition due to inconsistent terminology. It is believed to arise from a subtle disruption of the arthrokinematics or structural congruity of the calcaneocuboid (CC) joint, which irritates the joint capsule, ligaments, and fibularis (peroneus) longus tendon.
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The tibialis posterior tendon attaches to the cuboid
The cuboid bone is one of the seven tarsal bones of the foot. It is roughly cubical in shape, with a prominence in its inferior (or plantar) surface, known as the tuberosity of the cuboid. This bone is essential for the stability and support of the foot's outer edge, and its shape and location play a crucial role in maintaining the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot.
The tibialis posterior tendon is not the only structure connected to the cuboid bone. Several ligaments also attach to the cuboid due to its role in direct weight-bearing. Additionally, the cuboid bone articulates with several other bones in the foot, including the calcaneus, the lateral cuneiform, the navicular, and the fourth and fifth metatarsals.
The cuboid bone is subject to various medical conditions, such as cuboid syndrome and cuboid fractures. Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral mid-foot pain among athletes. Posterior tibialis tendinopathy is another condition associated with the cuboid, often resulting in gait abnormalities, medial ankle pain, and foot pain. Treatment for posterior tibialis tendinopathy may include conservative management, joint manipulation, and exercise.
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The cuboid is one of the tarsal bones
The cuboid bone is one of the seven tarsal bones of the foot. It is located on the lateral aspect of the foot, anterior to the calcaneus, next to the navicular and lateral cuneiform bones, and posterior to the fourth and fifth metatarsal. The cuboid is a small, irregularly-shaped bone, approximately cubical in shape, which gives it its name. It has a prominent role in maintaining the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot.
The cuboid is the most lateral of the bones in the distal row of the tarsus. It is one of the five mid-foot bones. The cuboid bone is the static and rigid lateral element of the foot, which provides it with inherent stability. It also consumes stress force during standing and ambulation, although it is not directly involved in weight-bearing. Its contribution is essential to the mobility of the lateral column of the foot.
The cuboid has a unique shape, with a broad, irregularly quadrilateral medial surface and a narrow 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 articulate. The medial surface is oval, allowing articulation with the lateral cuneiform and sometimes the navicular. The lateral surface has a small anterior and a large posterior tubercle, between which the peroneus longus tendon passes.
The only muscular attachment to the cuboid bone is a plantar branch of the tibialis posterior. The dorsal surface of the cuboid is rough, providing attachment points for ligaments. The plantar surface presents a deep groove, the peroneal sulcus, which lodges the tendon of the peroneus longus. Cuboid syndrome describes pain associated with damage to the calcaneocuboid joint and its associated ligaments.
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The cuboid is part of the lateral arch of the foot
The cuboid is a small, irregularly-shaped bone located on the lateral aspect of the foot. It is one of the seven tarsal bones of the foot and is the most lateral of the bones in the distal row of the tarsus. The cuboid is approximately cubical in shape, with a prominent tuberosity on its inferior (or plantar) surface. This tuberosity provides a groove for the tendon of the peroneus longus muscle to pass through and reach its insertion in the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform bones.
The cuboid plays a crucial role in maintaining the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot. Its shape and position contribute to the stability of the foot and help absorb stress forces during standing and walking. The cuboid is not directly involved in weight-bearing, but its mobility is essential for the lateral column of the foot. The only muscular attachment to the cuboid bone is a plantar branch of the tibialis posterior.
Cuboid syndrome is a common condition associated with the cuboid bone, causing lateral midfoot pain. It occurs when the cuboid bone moves out of alignment with the calcaneus bone, resulting in pain around the middle of the foot or at the base of the fourth and fifth toes. This syndrome is often seen in athletes, dancers, and individuals with pronated feet. Treatment for cuboid syndrome includes manipulation techniques to realign the cuboid bone and taping or padding to support the medial longitudinal arch.
The cuboid bone has several articulations with nearby bones. Proximally, it articulates with the calcaneus bone, forming the calcaneocuboid joint. Medially, it articulates with the lateral cuneiform and navicular bones. Distally, it articulates with the fourth and fifth metatarsals, forming the fourth and fifth tarsometatarsal joints. These articulations allow for smooth movement and stability in the foot.
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Frequently asked questions
The peroneus longus muscle passes under the cuboid bone.
The cuboid is one of the seven tarsal bones of the foot. It is roughly cubical in shape and is located on the lateral aspect of the foot.
The cuboid bone plays a crucial role in maintaining the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot. It also contributes to the stability of the foot and helps bear weight during standing and walking.
Cuboid syndrome is a condition that causes lateral midfoot pain. It is believed to arise from a disruption in the calcaneocuboid joint, leading to irritation in the surrounding structures, including the peroneus longus tendon.
Treatments for cuboid syndrome include cryotherapy, ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic massage. Patients are advised to avoid weight-bearing activities and may benefit from taping, orthoses, or cuboid padding to support the medial longitudinal arch.









































