Other Terms: First cuneiform bone, Medial cuneiform, Os cuneiforme mediale, Cunéiforme médial
This is the largest of the three cuneiform bones, being placed between the navicular and first metatarsal bones. Unlike the other two cuneiform bones, the base of the wedge-shape is on the plantar surface of the foot while the narrowed crest of the wedge faces dorsally. The broad, square, medial surface of the bone is subcutaneous in position and readily palpable. The bone has a general rough appearance over most of its non-articular surfaces for the attachment of ligaments.
Cuneus is Latin for wedge. With the combining word form connoting shape the word becomes the wedge-shaped bone. Visual inspection of these bones reveals their tapering wedge-like nature.
The medial cuneiform bone articulates with four bones: the navicular bone, the intermediate cuneiform bone, and the first two metatarsal bones. Proximally and distally it forms large articular surfaces with the navicular and first metatarsal, respectively. The navicular surface is concave while the metatarsal surface is convex. On its lateral aspect are smaller articular surfaces for the intermediate cuneiform and the second metatarsal.
The medial cuneiform ossifies from a single center that arises during the second year of life. The center is usually completely ossified by puberty or shortly after.