BoneShort bone

Cuboid

Latin: Os cuboideum sinistrum

Location: Foot — lateral midfoot

Paired structure: one on the left and one on the right side of the body.

View the cuboid in 3D

Function

The cube of the outer midfoot — its grooved underside chutes the peroneus longus tendon toward the big toe, and with the calcaneus it forms the lateral column the foot rolls over.

Landmarks

  • Peroneal sulcus (groove)
  • Calcaneocuboid joint
  • Tuberosity

Articulations (joints)

  • Calcaneus
  • Lateral cuneiform
  • Fourth and fifth metatarsals

Clinical relevance

Cuboid syndrome — a subtle subluxation — follows ankle inversions, causing lateral midfoot pain in dancers; the 'nutcracker' fracture crushes it between the calcaneus and the fourth/fifth metatarsal bases.

Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.