The navicular bone occurs in human and horse anatomy.

Human anatomy

The navicular bone is one of the tarsal bones, found in the foot. Its name derives from the bone's resemblance to a small boat, caused by the strongly concave proximal articular surface. The term navicular bone or hand navicular bone was formerly used for the scaphoid bone, one of the carpal bones of the wrist.

It is located on the medial side of the foot, and articulates proximally with the talus, distally with the three cuneiform bones, and occasionally laterally with the cuboid.

Horse anatomy

The navicular bone of the horse, also known as the distal sesamoid bone, lies on the palmar aspect of the coffin joint between the second phalanx and third phalanx or pedal bone. It is an important structure in relation to lameness and is involved with a significant disease process called Navicular Disease. Recently much of the original literature concerning navicular disease has been called into question, particularly the significance of some radiographic changes.

See also

• Bone terminology
• Terms for anatomical location
• Equine forelimb anatomy

Skeletal system | Horse anatomy

Escafoides (tarso)