Intercuneiform interosseous ligaments
Ligamenta intercuneiformia interossea
Short, strong ligaments deep between the three cuneiform bones of the midfoot, joining the rough parts of their facing surfaces.
At a glance
- English
- Intercuneiform interosseous ligaments
- Latin (TA2)
- Ligamenta intercuneiformia interossea
- System
- Ligament
- Region
- Foot
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the intercuneiform interosseous ligaments
The intercuneiform interosseous ligaments lie between the three cuneiform bones, the medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiforms, which stand side by side in the distal row of the tarsus. There are two of them: one between the medial and intermediate cuneiforms and one between the intermediate and lateral cuneiforms.
The facing surfaces of neighbouring cuneiforms are only partly covered by cartilage, where they form small gliding intercuneiform joints. The remaining parts of these surfaces are rough, and the interosseous ligaments fill the narrow gaps between them with short, dense fibres running from one bone straight across to the next. The intercuneiform joints share their synovial cavity with the cuneonavicular joint behind them and, between some of the bones, with the tarsometatarsal joints in front. The interosseous ligaments help mark off these spaces.
Each interosseous ligament works with a dorsal intercuneiform ligament on the upper surface of the foot and a plantar intercuneiform ligament on the sole, but it is the strongest of the three. Together they lock the cuneiforms into a solid block that permits only slight gliding. The intermediate and lateral cuneiforms are wedge-shaped, broader on top than beneath, while the medial one is set the other way up, so this block forms the keystone part of the transverse arch of the foot. The interosseous ligaments hold the wedges together and stop the arch spreading under load.
In injuries of the tarsometatarsal (Lisfranc) region, the force may pass back between the cuneiforms. Tearing of the intercuneiform interosseous ligaments then lets the medial and intermediate cuneiforms separate, which widens the injury and has to be recognised and fixed for the midfoot to remain stable.
Attachments and function
- Attaches from
- The rough, non-articular parts of the facing surfaces of the medial and intermediate cuneiforms, and of the intermediate and lateral cuneiforms.
- Attaches to
- The matching rough surface of the neighbouring cuneiform.
- Function
- Bind the three cuneiforms into a firm block, limit movement at the intercuneiform joints and maintain the transverse arch.
Anthromica
See the intercuneiform interosseous ligaments where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
