Lateral cuneiform
Os cuneiforme laterale
The lateral cuneiform is the outermost of the three cuneiform bones. It sits between the intermediate cuneiform and the cuboid and carries the base of the third metatarsal.
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Free 3D model of the lateral cuneiform. Right foot. Drag to rotate, zoom with + and − (or Ctrl + scroll), click a bone to highlight and name it.
Key points
- The lateral cuneiform is the outermost of the three cuneiforms.
- It sits between the intermediate cuneiform and the cuboid.
- It carries the base of the third metatarsal.
- It touches more bones than either of the other cuneiforms.
What is the lateral cuneiform?
The lateral cuneiform is the outermost of the three cuneiform bones. It is also called the third cuneiform, and in size it falls between the other two.
Where is the lateral cuneiform?
It lies at the centre of the midfoot, behind the third metatarsal, with the intermediate cuneiform on its inner side and the cuboid on its outer side.
What does the lateral cuneiform articulate with?
It meets six bones. Behind is the navicular. On either side are the intermediate cuneiform and the cuboid. In front, its main joint is with the third metatarsal, and small facets at its corners touch the second and fourth.
What does the lateral cuneiform do?
Its many contacts tie the inner and outer halves of the midfoot together. Like the intermediate cuneiform, it is a wedge with the narrow edge down and forms part of the arch across the foot.
Can you feel the lateral cuneiform?
Only roughly. Follow the ridge of the third metatarsal back from the third toe along the top of the foot. Where it ends, in the middle of the instep, you are over the lateral cuneiform. The cuboid is the next bone toward the outer edge.
What attaches to the lateral cuneiform?
A slip of the tibialis posterior tendon attaches to its underside, and part of the short muscle that bends the big toe starts from it.
As with the other cuneiforms, its most important connections are ligaments. Bands on the top, the underside and between the bones tie it to all six of its neighbours.
Common problems with the lateral cuneiform
It is well protected in the middle of the foot and seldom broken alone. It can be involved in Lisfranc injuries and in midfoot arthritis. This page describes anatomy only.
Common questions
Where is the lateral cuneiform?
In the midfoot, behind the third metatarsal and next to the cuboid.
How many bones does the lateral cuneiform touch?
Six: the navicular, intermediate cuneiform, cuboid and the second, third and fourth metatarsals.
What is another name for the lateral cuneiform?
The third cuneiform.
Is this 3D model of the lateral cuneiform free?
Yes. The interactive 3D model on this page is free to view and use for study, with no account or download needed. Its geometry comes from the open BodyParts3D data set (CC BY-SA).
About this free 3D model of the lateral cuneiform
The interactive 3D model on this page is free to use in your browser, with no sign-up. It is built from scan-based anatomy data, so every bone is a separate, correctly placed shape you can turn and inspect from any side.