358 THE ARTICULATIONS OR JOINTS. 



which fits into the shallow articular concavity presented by the proximal ends of 

 the three cuneiform bones. This joint may be extended by the occasional 

 cuboideo-navicular articulation already referred to. 



The fibrous stratum of the articular capsule is composed of short strong 

 bands which ' are distinctly visible on all sides except towards the cuboid bone, 

 where the joint may communicate with the cuneo-cuboid and cuboideo-navicular 

 joints. Anteriorly the joint communicates with the intercuneiform articulations. 

 The dorsal parts of the capsule are short longitudinal bands termed dorsal 

 cuneo-navicular ligaments (Figs. 323 and 324). These extend without interrup- 

 tion to the medial aspect of the joint. Inferiorly there are similar bands, 

 known as plantar cuneo - navicular ligaments, also longitudinal in direction, 

 but intimately associated with offsets from the tendon of the tibialis posterior 

 muscle. 



The synovial stratum which lines the fibrous stratum sends prolongations 

 forwards on each side of the second cuneiform bone, and in addition it often 

 communicates with the cuneo-cuboid joint cavity, and it always communicates 

 with the cuboideo-navicular cavity when that joint exists. 



Articulationes Intercuneiformese. These are two in number, and exist 

 between adjacent contiguous surfaces of the three cuneiform bones. These surfaces 

 are partly articular and partly non-articular. The small size of the second 

 cuneiform bone allows the first cuneiform as well as the third cuneiform to project 

 forwards beyond it, one on each side, and therefore the articular surfaces turned 

 towards the second cuneiform are not entirely occupied by that bone. They form 

 a recess facing the metatarsus, into which the base of the second metatarsal bone 

 is thrust. 



Ligamenta intercuneiformea dorsalia constitute fairly strong transverse bands 

 which extend between adjacent dorsal surfaces and invest the joint cavities in this 

 direction. 



The ligamenta intercuneiformea plantaria are two strong bands which pass 

 from the rough non-articular areas on opposite sides of the second cuneiform 

 to the opposing surfaces of the first and third cuneiform bones. These ligaments 

 shut in the joint cavities inferiorly, and also anteriorly in the case of the lateral 

 of the two joints. 



The ligamenta intercuneiformea interossea are bonds which bind together adjacent 

 cuneiform bones. 



The synovial stratum is an extension of that which lines the cuneo-navicular 

 joint ; but while it is restricted to the lateral of the two joints, in the case of the 

 medial one it is prolonged still farther forward to the tarso-metatarsal series of 

 joints. 



Articulatio Cuneocuboidea. This occurs between the rounded or oval facets 

 on the opposing surfaces of the cuboid and third cuneiform. 



The ligamentum cuneocuboideum dorsale is a flat, somewhat transverse band 

 which closes the joint on its dorsal aspect, and extends between the dorsal 

 surfaces of the two bones. 



The ligamentum cuneocuboideum plantare is difficult to determine. It is 

 situated deep to the long plantar ligament, and extends between adjacent rough 

 surfaces of the two bones. 



The ligamentum cuneocuboideum interosseum is the strongest. It closes the 

 joint cavity anteriorly, and is attached to the contiguous non-articular surfaces 

 of the two bones. 



The synovial stratum is frequently distinct, but at other times the joint 

 cavity communicates with those of the cuneo-navicular and cuboideo-navicular 

 articulations. 



Synovial Strata of the Intertarsal Joints. Four and sometimes five distinct 

 and separate synovial strata may thus be enumerated in connexion with 

 the tarsal articulations, viz. : (1) talo-calcaneal ; (2) talo-calcaneo-navicular ; (3) 

 calcaneo-cuboid ; (4) cuneo-navicular and its extensions ; (5) occasionally cuneo- 

 cuboid. 



