Its name derives from the human bone's resemblance to a small boat, caused by the strongly concave proximal articular surface.

[4][5][6] The human navicular is not a commonly broken bone but it breaks due to two reasons.

The navicular bone is a keystone of the foot: it is part of the coxa pedis and articulates with the talus, first, second and third cuneiform, cuboid and calcaneus.

It plays an important role in the biomechanics of the foot, helping in inversion, eversion, and motion; it is a structural link between midfoot and forefoot and it is part of the longitudinal and transverse arch of the foot.

Recently much of the original literature concerning navicular disease has been called into question, particularly the significance of radiographic changes as a sole diagnostic criterion.