The calcaneus (; from the Latin calcaneus or calcaneum, meaning heel; : calcanei or calcanea) or heel bone is a bone of the tarsus of the foot which constitutes the heel. In humans, it attaches several muscles and the plantar fascia. In some animals, it is the point of the hock.

Structure

In humans, the calcaneus is the largest of the tarsal bones and the largest bone of the foot. Its long axis is pointed forwards and laterally.

There is a large calcaneal tuberosity located posteriorly on plantar surface with medial and lateral tubercles on its surface. Besides, there is another peroneal tubercle on its lateral surface. On its lower edge on either side are its lateral and medial processes (serving as the origins of the abductor hallucis and abductor digiti minimi). The Achilles tendon is inserted into a roughened area on its superior side and the cuboid bone articulates with its anterior side. On its superior side there are three articular surfaces for the articulation with the talus bone.

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| Gastrocnemius || Insertion || Calcaneal tuberosity through the Achilles tendon

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| Soleus || Insertion || Calcaneal tuberosity through the Achilles tendon

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| Plantaris || Insertion || Calcaneal tuberosity through the Achilles tendon

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| Extensor digitorum brevis || Origin || Dorsal side of calcaneus

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| Abductor hallucis || Origin || Medial process of calcaneal tuberosity

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| Extensor hallucis brevis || Origin || Dorsal side of calcaneus

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| Abductor digiti minimi || Origin || Lateral and medial processes of calcaneal tuberosity

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| Flexor digitorum brevis || Origin || Medial process of calcaneal tuberosity

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| Quadratus plantae || Origin || Lateral process of calcaneal tuberosity

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Clinical significance

thumbnail|Calcaneus fracture X-ray

Normally the tibia sits vertically above the calcaneus (pes rectus). If the calcaneal axis between these two bones is turned medially the foot is in an everted position (pes valgus), and if it is turned laterally the foot is in an inverted position (pes varus).

  • Calcaneal fracture, also known as lover's fracture and Don Juan fracture

Disease

The talar shelf is typically involved in subtalar or talocalcaneal tarsal coalition.

See also

  • Calcar
  • Bohler's angle
  • Sanders classification

Additional images

<gallery>

File:LateralAspectOfRightCalcaneus.jpg|Calcaneus of the right foot; lateral view. (After Testut's Anatomy.)

File:MedialViewOfRightCalcaneus.jpg|Calcaneus of the right foot; medial view. (After Testut's Anatomy.)

File:SuperiorAspectOfRightCalcaneus.jpg|Calcaneus of the right foot; superior view. (After Testut's Anatomy.)

File:InferiorViewOfCalcaneus.png|Calcaneus of the right foot; inferior view. (After Testut's Anatomy.)

File:PosteriorAspectOfRightCalcaneus.jpg|Calcaneus of the right root; posterior view. (After Testut's Anatomy.)

File:AnteriorAspectOfRightCalcaneus.jpg|Calcaneus of the right foot; anterior view. (After Charpy.)

File:AnimatedRightCalcaneus.gif|Right calcaneus. Animation.

File:PlantarAspectOfHeelBone.jpg|Labeled illustration depicting the inferior aspect of a right calcaneus. (After Charpy.)

File:Ospied-en.svg|Bones of foot

File:Calcaneus.jpg|3D rendering of a left calcaneus derived from CT scan data. The calcaneus is white, and the other bones of the foot and ankle are clear to illustrate the position and relationship of the calcaneus to the other tarsal bones.

</gallery>

Notes

References

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  • 3D printable calcaneus model, free download in STL format (Embodi3D.com)