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Cuboid articular surface

The cuboid articular surface refers to the smooth joint-forming surfaces of the cuboid bone in the lateral midfoot that participate in multiple tarsal and tarsometatarsal articulations. These surfaces allow transmission of load and coordinated motion between the hindfoot and forefoot and are essential for lateral column stability of the foot.

It is a key anatomical feature in foot biomechanics, trauma assessment, and cross-sectional imaging of the midfoot.

Synonyms

  • Articular surfaces of the cuboid

  • Cuboid joint surfaces

Location

  • Situated on the cuboid bone in the lateral midfoot

  • Anterior to the calcaneus

  • Posterior to the fourth and fifth metatarsals

  • Lateral to the lateral cuneiform

  • Inferior to the talus (indirect articulation)

Anatomical components

  • Posterior articular surface:

    • Articulates with the calcaneus (calcaneocuboid joint)

  • Anterior articular surfaces:

    • Articulate with the bases of the fourth and fifth metatarsals

  • Medial articular surface:

    • Articulates with the lateral cuneiform

  • Cartilage covering:

    • Hyaline cartilage lining all articular facets

Relations

Posteriorly:

  • Calcaneus

Anteriorly:

  • Fourth and fifth metatarsal bases

Medially:

  • Lateral cuneiform bone

Laterally:

  • Lateral surface of the foot

Inferiorly:

  • Plantar surface with groove for peroneus longus tendon

Superiorly:

  • Dorsal foot structures and extensor tendons

X-ray appearance

Plain radiographs (AP, oblique, and lateral foot views):

  • Articular surfaces: Seen as smooth, well-defined cortical margins

  • Joint spaces: Uniform width at calcaneocuboid and tarsometatarsal joints

  • Best visualized on: Oblique views for calcaneocuboid articulation

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Articular facets: Smooth cortical surfaces with sharp margins

  • Subchondral bone: Normal density beneath articular cartilage

  • Joint congruity: Clearly assessed at calcaneocuboid and cubometatarsal joints

  • Spatial detail: Excellent delineation of facet shape and orientation

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Subchondral bone: High signal from marrow

  • Cortical bone: Low signal outlining articular surfaces

  • Articular contour: Clearly defined

T2-weighted images:

  • Articular cartilage: Intermediate-to-high signal layer over subchondral bone

  • Joint fluid: High signal outlining the articular surfaces

  • Subchondral bone: Low-to-intermediate signal

STIR:

  • Fat suppression: Uniform suppression of marrow fat

  • Articular margins: Well visualized

  • Joint spaces: Bright signal due to fluid

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Cartilage: Well-defined intermediate signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal

  • Subchondral bone: Low signal

CT VRT 3D image

Cuboid articular surface

MRI image

Cuboid articular surface mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000