Intermediate Cuneiform, Superior View

Description

Centered in the midfoot, the intermediate cuneiform (os cuneiforme intermedium) is highlighted on the dorsal aspect of the right foot, positioned distal to the navicular and proximal to the base of the second metatarsal. Medially it abuts the medial cuneiform, while laterally it articulates with the lateral cuneiform, forming part of the transverse arch across the cuneiform row. From a superior view, the dorsal surface reads as a compact wedge, with its broad base oriented dorsally and the apex directed plantarly into the midfoot. Joint lines around it outline the naviculocuneiform and tarsometatarsal articulations. Dorsal viewing matters because the intermediate cuneiform sits at the center of the Lisfranc complex, where the base of the second metatarsal is recessed between the medial and lateral cuneiforms and acts as a keystone for midfoot stability. This is the bony geography behind subtle Lisfranc injuries, where a small dorsal avulsion fragment at the cuneiform or second metatarsal base can signal ligament disruption despite minimal displacement. It also frames dorsal midfoot surgical corridors and hardware placement, since screws and plates often traverse the second tarsometatarsal joint and the cuneiform interfaces. Small bone, big consequences. Use this plate in gross anatomy and lower-limb musculoskeletal courses to teach tarsal identification and the articulation pattern of the cuneiforms with the metatarsals, and in orthopedic or radiology materials discussing dorsal midfoot pain, Lisfranc sprain, and tarsometatarsal alignment on AP and oblique foot views. It also suits patient-facing education when explaining why a central midfoot injury can destabilize the entire arch. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.