Plantar Calcaneonavicular Ligament, Plantar View

Description

Plantar anatomy of the medial midfoot is organized here around the plantar calcaneonavicular ligament (spring ligament), a broad fibrocartilaginous band spanning from the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus posteriorly to the plantar surface of the navicular anteriorly. In a plantar view, the ligament sits deep to the plantar aponeurosis and lies medial to the lateral column, forming the floor of the talonavicular joint and supporting the head of the talus superiorly. The calcaneus and navicular are shown in close apposition, with the talar head positioned dorsally above the ligament’s central portion. Dense fibers. Clear margins. Clinically, this view matters because spring ligament attenuation is a primary structural failure in adult acquired flatfoot associated with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, allowing plantarflexion and medial drift of the talar head with collapse of the medial longitudinal arch. Surgeons repairing progressive collapsing foot deformity often assess the ligament at the talonavicular level during medial approaches, and the relationship of the spring ligament to the talar head helps explain why hindfoot valgus and forefoot abduction develop when it elongates. For radiology teaching, it also anchors discussion of why talonavicular uncoverage on weight-bearing radiographs correlates with medial arch insufficiency. Use this illustration for gross anatomy and musculoskeletal blocks when introducing the subtalar and talonavicular joints, or in orthopaedic and podiatric teaching files covering flatfoot reconstruction, spring ligament repair, and posterior tibial tendon pathology. It also fits textbook spreads on the medial longitudinal arch, with the calcaneus, talus, and navicular as the core bony struts supported by plantar ligaments. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.