Arches of the Foot

Expansion

• Medial longitudinal arch - the highest, formed by the calcaneus, talus, navicular, cuneiforms and the first three metatarsals
• Lateral longitudinal arch - lower and flatter, formed by the calcaneus, cuboid and lateral two metatarsals
• Transverse arch - runs across the midfoot at the level of the cuneiforms and cuboid

The arches are held up by bone shape, ligaments (including the spring ligament), the plantar fascia and muscles such as tibialis posterior and fibularis longus.