Heel region
Regio calcanea
- Latin synonym: Regio calcis
Definition
The heel region refers to the prominent area at the back of the foot. It is formed by the posterior protrusion of the calcaneus bone, also known as the heel bone, which extends beyond the ankle joint.
The posterior bulging section of the heel bone can be divided into three parts: upper, middle, and lower. The middle part serves as the point of attachment for the Achilles tendon, while the upper part is associated with a bursa that separates the heel bone from the Achilles tendon. The lower part extends into the sole of the foot and provides attachment for the short plantar ligament.
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.
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/
