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Topic

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Talonavicular joint

The talonavicular joint is a major synovial joint of the midfoot formed between the head of the talus and the proximal surface of the navicular bone. It plays a central role in foot mobility and stability and is a key component of the transverse tarsal (Chopart) joint complex.

It is a critical anatomical landmark in foot biomechanics, orthopedic assessment, and imaging of the hindfoot–midfoot transition.

Synonyms

  • Talonavicular articulation

  • Talonavicular joint of Chopart

Location

  • Situated in the medial midfoot

  • Between the talar head posteriorly and the navicular bone anteriorly

  • Medial component of the transverse tarsal joint

  • Anterior to the talocalcaneal joint

  • Posterior to the naviculocuneiform joints

Anatomical components

  • Articular surfaces:

    • Convex head of the talus

    • Concave proximal surface of the navicular

  • Joint capsule:

    • Thin and lax to allow mobility

  • Supporting ligaments:

    • Plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament

    • Dorsal talonavicular ligament

    • Part of the bifurcate ligament complex

  • Synovial lining

Relations

Superiorly:

  • Talar neck and head

Inferiorly:

  • Spring ligament and sustentaculum tali region

Medially:

  • Medial malleolar region and tibialis posterior tendon

Laterally:

  • Calcaneocuboid joint

Anteriorly:

  • Navicular bone and medial cuneiforms

Posteriorly:

  • Talocalcaneal (subtalar) joint

X-ray appearance

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

  • Joint space: Seen between the talar head and navicular

  • Alignment: Smooth articular congruity

  • Best visualized on: Lateral and oblique views

  • Joint contour: Curved interface reflecting ball-and-socket–like configuration

CT appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Articular surfaces: Well-defined cortical margins of talar head and navicular

  • Joint space: Clearly delineated

  • Subchondral bone: Smooth and continuous

  • Spatial assessment: Excellent depiction of joint congruity and osseous anatomy

MRI appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone: Low signal intensity

  • Bone marrow: High signal in talus and navicular

  • Joint space: Low-to-intermediate signal with visible capsule

T2-weighted images:

  • Articular cartilage: Intermediate signal

  • Joint fluid: High signal outlining the joint

  • Ligaments: Low-signal bands adjacent to the joint

STIR:

  • Fat suppression: Uniform marrow fat suppression

  • Joint fluid: Bright signal

  • Ligament contours: Well visualized against suppressed background

Proton density fat-saturated (PD FS):

  • Joint space: High signal from fluid

  • Cartilage and ligaments: Well delineated

  • Soft tissues: Excellent contrast around the joint capsule

CT VRT 3D image

Talonavicular joint

MRI image

Talonavicular joint mri anatomy labelled image-img-00000-00000

CT image

Talonavicular joint ct