Tibionavicular ligament

At a glance

English

Tibionavicular ligament

Latin (TA2)

Ligamentum tibionaviculare

System

Ligament

Region

Foot

Side

Paired, left and right

About the tibionavicular ligament

The tibionavicular ligament is the most anterior superficial band of the deltoid, or medial collateral, ligament of the ankle. The deltoid fans out downwards from the medial malleolus like a triangle, and its front edge is formed by this band. It springs from the anterior border of the medial malleolus and passes forwards and downwards across the neck of the talus to end on the tuberosity of the navicular, the prominent bump on the inner side of the midfoot.

As it approaches the navicular it does not end cleanly. Just behind the tuberosity, its lower fibres blend with the medial border of the plantar calcaneonavicular, or spring, ligament, which supports the head of the talus from below. In this way the deltoid and spring ligaments form a continuous fibrous sling on the medial side of the ankle and hindfoot. The tendon of tibialis posterior crosses superficial to this region as it travels to the same tuberosity, and the great saphenous vein runs up just in front of the medial malleolus.

The band tightens when the foot is pointed down and turned outwards. It limits eversion and plantarflexion, helps stop the talar head sliding medially and downwards, and, through its link with the spring ligament, adds to the support of the medial longitudinal arch. It is thinner than the deep tibiotalar fibres, which carry most of the load at the ankle itself.

Damage to this part of the deltoid usually comes with an eversion or rotational injury of the ankle. In long-standing flatfoot, it may be stretched together with the spring ligament as the head of the talus sinks, and both may need repair when the arch is reconstructed.

Attachments and function

Attaches from

The anterior border of the medial malleolus of the tibia.

Attaches to

The tuberosity of the navicular, with its lower fibres blending into the medial edge of the spring ligament.

Function

Limits eversion and plantarflexion of the foot and, with the spring ligament, helps support the head of the talus and the medial arch.

Nerve supply

Articular branches of the saphenous nerve and deep fibular nerve.

Blood supply

Medial malleolar branch of the anterior tibial artery and medial tarsal branches of the dorsalis pedis artery.