336 INFERIOR EXTREMITY 



The cuboid, by an oval facet on its medial surface, 

 articulates with the lateral or third cuneiform bone, forming 

 thereby the cubo-cuneiform joint. The two bones are bound 

 together by interosseous, dorsal, and plantar ligaments. By 

 dividing the dorsal ligament and insinuating the knife 

 between the two bones the interosseous ligament may be 

 detected. It is the strongest of the three ligaments. 



The synovial membrane which lines the naviculo-cuneiform 

 articulation is prolonged into the cubo-cuneiform joint and 

 also into the naviculo-cuboid joint when that exists. 



Tarso-metatarsal Articulations. The bases of the five 

 metatarsal bones articulate with the three cuneiform bones 

 and the cuboid bone, and are very firmly attached to them 

 by dorsal, plantar, and interosseous ligaments. 



The dorsal ligaments are flat, distinct bands which can 

 readily be defined. One such ligament passes to the base of 

 the first metatarsal from the medial or first cuneiform ; 

 three, one from each of the cuneiform bones, proceed to the 

 base of the second metatarsal ; one extends from the lateral or 

 third cuneiform to the base of the third metatarsal ; two, of 

 which one proceeds from the lateral cuneiform and the other 

 from the cuboid, go to the base of the fourth metatarsal ; 

 and one passes from the cuboid to the base of the fifth 

 metatarsal. 



The plantar ligaments are not so regularly disposed. Those 

 in connection with the first and second metatarsal bones are 

 very strong. Some of the bands have an oblique direction, 

 and those which go to the bases of the three intermediate 

 metatarsal bones are more or less connected with the sheath 

 of the tendon of the peronaeus longus, and therefore with the 

 long plantar ligament. 



To bring the interosseous ligaments into view, divide freely 

 the dorsal ligaments, and then forcibly bend the metatarsus 

 distally upon the tarsus. The interosseous ligaments will 

 resist this proceeding, and on looking into the joints they 

 will be seen stretched and tense. If the force be continued 

 they will rupture. The interosseous ligaments are three in 

 number, viz. a medial, an intermediate, and a lateral. 



The medial interosseous ligament is an exceedingly strong 

 band, which passes laterally from the anterior part of the 

 lateral surface of the medial cuneiform bone to the adjacent 

 surface of the base of the second metatarsal bone. The 



