Calcaneus

The calcaneus, or the heel bone, is the largest bone of the human foot. The skeleton of the human foot is made up of three groups of bones: the tarsus, the metatarsus, and the phalanges. The tarsal bones consist of the calcaneus, talus, cuboid, navicular, and the first, second, and third cuneiforms. The calcaneus forms part of the tarsi and constitutes the heel of the human foot or the point of an animal's hock.

Human

It articulates with two other tarsal bones, the talus above and the cuboid toward the midfoot. It does not articulate with the two bones of the leg (the tibia and the fibula). In addition to receiving the weight of the body with each step, the calcaneus is the anchor for the foot,which supports the arch of the foot.

Calcaneal tuberosity

The posterior-most portion of the calcaneus is the calcaneal tuberosity, a large, non-articulating process that is the insertion point for the calcaneal tendon (or Achilles tendon). In addition, this process is the origin for some of the muscles and tendons of the foot.

Horse

The calcaneus has two articulations, being part of the Proximal intertarsal joint and the Talocalcaneal joint. As in humans it is the insertion of the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor tendons. The point of the calcaneus is covered by the calcanean bursa.

See also

• Calcar
• Bone terminology
• Calcaneal fracture, also known as Lover's fracture and Don Juan fracture
• Terms for anatomical location

Additional images

External links

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