Male Dorsal Calcaneocuboid Ligament

Description

Positioned on the dorsal aspect of the lateral midfoot, the dorsal calcaneocuboid ligament spans from the anterior process of the calcaneus to the dorsolateral surface of the cuboid, reinforcing the superior portion of the calcaneocuboid joint capsule. Lateral to it lie the calcaneofibular ligament and the peroneal tendon sheath region, while medially the joint line approaches the talonavicular articulation that completes Chopart’s joint. The cuboid sits anterior and slightly lateral to the calcaneus, with the bases of the fourth and fifth metatarsals projecting distally; the talus remains superior and posteromedial in the hindfoot complex. Tibia and fibula frame the ankle proximally, orienting the hindfoot for a true lateral read. Dorsal calcaneocuboid restraints matter when you are teaching or assessing midtarsal stability, because the calcaneocuboid joint is the lateral column “lock” during push-off and becomes symptomatic when sprain forces drive forefoot adduction and inversion. Lateral midfoot pain after an ankle sprain is often dismissed, yet dorsal capsular and ligamentous injury at the calcaneocuboid joint can mimic fifth metatarsal base pathology and complicate return to sport. A reliable landmark. In operative planning, this dorsal anatomy sits in the corridor used for lateral column procedures and for exposure when addressing calcaneocuboid arthritis or dorsal osteophytes. Use this illustration for gross anatomy and musculoskeletal medicine teaching on the transverse tarsal (Chopart) joint, for sports medicine or orthopaedic texts discussing midfoot sprain patterns, and for radiology or podiatry materials that correlate dorsal calcaneocuboid capsule thickening with lateral column pain. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.