Cuboid bone

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

“As its name indicates, the cuboid has six surfaces, three of which articulate with adjacent tarsal bones (see Figs. 14.4, 14.5, and 14.7). The distal surface articulates with the bases of both the fourth and the fifth metatarsals. The cuboid is therefore homologous to the hamate bone in the wrist.”¹

“The entire, curved proximal surface of the cuboid articulates with the calcaneus (see Fig. 14.4). The medial surface has an oval facet for articulation with the lateral cuneiform and a small facet for articulation with the navicular. A distinct groove runs across the plantar surface of the cuboid, which in life is occupied by the tendon of the fibularis longus muscle (see Fig. 14.5).”¹

The cuboid is supported by the fibularis longus as its tendon passes around the lateral and inferior aspect of the cuboid as it runs towards its insertion on the medial cuneiform and base of 1st metatarsal.

Muscular attachments

Table 1: Muscular insertions on the cuboid

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action

Table 2: Muscles originating from the cuboid

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Abductor digiti minimi	Medial tubercle of calcaneal tuberosity Cuboid Lateral cuneiforms 3-5th MTP joints Deep transverse metatarsal lig.	Base of 5th proximal phalanx Base of 1st proximal phalanx (via common tendon)	Lateral Plantar n. Lateral Plantar n. (Deep branch) S1 - S3	5th Toe: MTP Flexion 1st MTP: Flexion, Adduction Arch Support: *Transverse head* supports transverse arch, *Oblique head* supports longitudinal arch
Flexor hallucis brevis	Cuboid Lateral cuneiforms Plantar calcaneocuboid lig.	Medial Sesamoid bone Lateral Sesamoid bone	Lateral Plantar n. Medial Plantar n. S1 - S2	MTP Flexion Supports Longitudinal Arch

Joints

“An understanding of the shape of the talus is crucial to understanding much of the kinesiology of the ankle and foot”¹

“As will be described, the talus is mechanically involved with all three of these joints. The multiple articulations made by the talus help to explain the bone’s complex shape, with nearly 70% of its surface covered with articular cartilage. An understanding of the shape of the talus is crucial to understanding much of the kinesiology of the ankle and foot.”¹

Mechanics

The cuboid functions better in plantarflexion, rather than extension.

Palpation

The cuboid bone can be palpated by moving distally approximately one finger-breadth from the sinus tarsi²

Assessment

• Assess relative cuboid movement

References

1.

Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.

2.

Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.