Navicular Flashcards

Explore the navicular bone's location, articular surfaces, bony landmarks, tendon and ligament attachments, and role in the medial foot arch.

Card 1 of 24Question

What is the navicular bone?

A boat-shaped tarsal bone located on the medial side of the midfoot.

In This Section

1. What is the navicular bone?

A boat-shaped tarsal bone located on the medial side of the midfoot.

2. Where is the navicular bone located relative to the talus?

Immediately anterior to the head of the talus.

3. Which bones articulate with the distal surface of the navicular?

The medial, intermediate, and lateral cuneiform bones.

4. Which additional tarsal bone may articulate with the lateral surface of the navicular?

The cuboid bone, through a variable articular facet.

5. What is the shape of the posterior articular surface of the navicular?

Concave, accommodating the convex head of the talus.

6. What is the talonavicular joint?

The articulation between the head of the talus and the posterior surface of the navicular.

7. Which two joints form the transverse tarsal joint?

The talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints.

8. What type of synovial joints are the naviculocuneiform joints?

Plane synovial joints.

9. What is the navicular tuberosity?

A prominent bony projection on the medial and plantar aspect of the navicular.

10. Which muscle tendon inserts primarily onto the navicular tuberosity?

The tibialis posterior tendon.

11. Where can the navicular tuberosity be palpated?

On the medial midfoot, anterior and inferior to the medial malleolus.

12. Which ligament connects the navicular to the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus?

The plantar calcaneonavicular ligament, also called the spring ligament.

13. What is the primary function of the spring ligament near the navicular?

To support the talar head and help maintain the medial longitudinal arch.

14. Which ligament connects the dorsal surfaces of the talar neck and navicular?

The dorsal talonavicular ligament.

15. Which ligament complex connects the navicular to the three cuneiform bones?

The dorsal and plantar naviculocuneiform ligaments.

16. What is the role of the navicular in the medial longitudinal arch?

It forms an important structural link between the talus and cuneiform bones.

17. How does the tibialis posterior tendon help stabilize the navicular?

Its insertion supports the medial midfoot and helps resist collapse of the medial longitudinal arch.

18. Which arteries contribute to the blood supply of the navicular?

Branches of the dorsalis pedis and medial plantar arteries, with anatomical variation.

19. What is an accessory navicular bone?

An accessory ossicle near the medial navicular tuberosity, often associated with the tibialis posterior tendon.

20. What is the anatomical basis of symptomatic accessory navicular syndrome?

Irritation at an accessory ossicle or its synchondrosis near the tibialis posterior insertion.

21. Why are navicular stress fractures clinically important?

The central navicular may have relatively limited vascularity, increasing the risk of delayed union.

22. Which part of the navicular is commonly affected by stress fractures?

The central or dorsal portion of the navicular body.

23. What is Köhler disease?

Osteochondrosis of the developing navicular bone in children, associated with temporary disruption of ossification.

24. What foot deformity can result from failure of the navicular's ligamentous and tendinous support?

Progressive collapse of the medial longitudinal arch, contributing to acquired flatfoot deformity.