Calcaneus

Calcaneus

  • Latin synonym: Os calcaneum; Os calcis
  • Synonym: Calcaneal bone

Definition

The calcaneus is the largest bone in the tarsus. It’s posterior protuberant part forms the heel prominence, hence known as the heel bone. It has a roughly rectangular shape with six surfaces: anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, superior, and inferior.

The anterior surface has an articular area to connect with the cuboid bone, forming the calcaneocuboid joint.

The dorsal or superior surface can be divided into three sections. The posterior one-third is rough, the middle one-third has a large posterior facet for articulation with the talus bone’s corresponding posterior facet, forming the subtalar joint. The anterior one-third contains the middle and anterior articular facets, with the middle one on the sustentaculum tali. These facets articulate with the anterior and middle calcaneal facets on the undersurface of the head of talus bone.

The medical surface of the calcaneus is concave. Anteriorly, its upper margin features a bony shelf called the sustentaculum tali, which supports the posterior part of the talus bone’s head. The undersurface of the sustentaculum tali has a bony groove for the flexor hallucis longus tendon to pass through, entering the foot’s sole.

The lateral surface is almost flat and includes a small bony elevation known as the peroneal trochlea (or fibular trochlea).

Posteriorly, the calcaneus projects beyond the ankle joint, forming a bony prominence called the heel. The posterior bulge of the calcaneus is divided into upper, middle, and lower regions. The middle part is where the Achilles tendon attaches and is separated from the upper region by a bursa. The lower region curves forward into the foot’s sole, creating a calcaneal tuberosity, which has medial and lateral processes and a V-shaped notch between them. The anterior end of the plantar surface has a prominent bony tubercle called the calcaneal tubercle, where the posterior end of the short plantar ligament attaches.

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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2023 IMAIOS.

  • Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 6: Lower Limb’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 603-604.

  • MacGregor, R. and Byerly, D.W. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Foot Bones. [Updated 2022 May 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557447/


Comparative anatomy in animals

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