Navicular Bone

Key Features & Anatomical Relations

The navicular bone is one of the seven tarsal bones of the foot. It’s boat-shaped and is the only bone found between the proximal and distal rows of the tarsal bones. It’s classified as a short bone and includes the following bony features:

- parts: tuberosity and plantar process;

- surfaces: dorsal, plantar, medial and lateral surfaces, and proximal and distal articular surfaces;

- landmarks: cuboid articular facet, and medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiform articular facets.

More information regarding these bony features can be found in the Parts, Surfaces and Landmarks tabs for this bone.

The navicular bone is located:

- proximal to the medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiform bones;

- distal to the talus;

- medial to the cuboid bone.

It articulates with the:

- medial, intermediate and lateral cuneiform bones at the cuneonavicular joint;

- cuboid bone at the cuboideonavicular joint;

- talus at the talocalcaneonavicular joint.

The navicular bone contributes to the formation of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot.

Ossification

Ossification of the navicular bone occurs at one ossification center, which appears within the third year (Standring, 2016).

Variations

In some individuals:

- the navicular bone may be present in a bipartite condition (i.e., divided into two parts);

- an accessory ossicle may be associated with the navicular bone (Standring, 2016).

Surface Anatomy

With regard to surface anatomy, the tuberosity of navicular bone is subcutaneous and can be palpated as a large bony prominence that is located anteroinferior to the medial malleolus.

List of Clinical Correlates

- Fracture of navicular bone

- Köhler’s disease

- Calcaneonavicular coalition

- Talonavicular coalition

- Naviculocuneiform coalition

- Cuboideonavicular coalition

References

Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.