Calcaneus
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Identify the main areas and bony landmarks of the calcaneus.
- Name the articulations formed by the calcaneus.
- List the main muscles, tendons and ligaments attaching on the calcaneus.
Watch video
The calcaneus, also known as the heel bone, is the largest of the foot bones that sits just below the talus. The calcaneus articulates with two bones: the talus and cuboid bone. By articulating with the talus, the calcaneus forms the subtalar joint, while with the cuboid bone, it forms the calcaneocuboid joint. The calcaneus is the site of attachment for many muscles and ligaments. It’s important to note that the calcaneus acts as a short lever for the calf muscles which insert onto its posterior surface via the Achilles tendon, thereby playing an important role in weight-bearing and stability.
To find out everything about the bony landmarks and articular surfaces of the calcaneus, as well as the ligaments that support the joints formed by the calcaneus, check out the video below!
Take a quiz
After watching the video about the calcaneus, you should be ready to embark upon this quiz. Test yourself and solidify your knowledge now.
If you’re up for a challenge, click on the link below to get a preset quiz on the ankle and foot. Or customize your own quiz by choosing the topics you want to be quizzed on.
Browse atlas
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/627/b0rXYLFQfPhjyH4tFoeBQ_Calcaneus_Superior-and-posterior-view__english.jpg){kind=logo}
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Take a closer look at the surfaces and bony landmarks of the calcaneus in the gallery below.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/corpus-calcanei/ycnY6u1ImkBXDl8FcMOXBw_Calcaneal_body_01.png "Body of calcaneus (Corpus calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/facies-articularis-talaris-posterior-calcanei/Ic42EcBJLCG5qOHOS6ReQA_Posterior_talar_artiular_surface_of_calcaneus_01.png "Posterior talar articular surface of calcaneus (Facies articularis talaris posterior calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/facies-articularis-talaris-media-calcanei/8rfbKNeArB5ufPSVnTIHeQ_Middle_talar_articular_surface_of_calcaneus_01.png "Middle talar articular surface of calcaneus (Facies articularis talaris media calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/facies-articularis-talaris-anterior-calcanei/v3EYyqrqwZiNS8g6wkFUg_Anterior_talar_articular_surface_of_calcaneus_01.png "Anterior talar articular surface of calcaneus (Facies articularis talaris anterior calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/facies-articularis-cuboidea-calcanei/fe4IVGiZjQ4V647H3kYN2w_Articular_surface_for_cuboid_01.png "Articular surface for cuboid of calcaneus (Facies articularis cuboidea calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/sulcus-calcanei/0yVyO7DwspwWHZhy7u974A_Calcaneal_sulcus_01.png "Calcaneal sulcus (Sulcus calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/sustentaculum-tali/qYx4fhxdqsEPf6Jg59s79Q_Sustentaculum_tali_01.png "Sustentaculum tali of calcaneus (Sustentaculum tali calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/sulcus-tendinis-musculi-flexoris-hallucis-longi/qOt9n38yEVCUqZPp7uoawA_Groove_for_tendon_of_FHL_on_calcaneus_01.png "Groove for tendon of flexor hallucis longus muscle of calcaneus (Sulcus tendinis musculi flexoris hallucis longi calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/trochlea-fibularis-calcanei/LHCyyxGnDrtcP1IDi4yCWQ_Fibular_trochlea_of_calcaneus_01.png "Fibular trochlea of calcaneus (Trochlea fibularis calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/tuber-calcanei-2/ATcd4y9PkJme0g4C1YJ6Tg_Calcaneal_tuberosity_01.png "Calcaneal tuberosity (Tuber calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/processus-medialis-tuberis-calcanei-2/ZO4HtYoCEZUH5WTiIZSQ__Medial_process_of_calcaneal_tuberosity_01.png "Medial process of calcaneal tuberosity (Processus medialis tuberis calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/processus-lateralis-tuberis-calcanei-2/CvSofmPu2tVBv8atnQK8bw__Lateral_process_of_calcaneal_tuberosity_01.png "Lateral process of calcaneal tuberosity (Processus lateralis tuberis calcanei); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Surfaces | Superior, medial, lateral, inferior |
| Bony landmarks | Calcaneal sulcus, sustentaculum tali, groove for the tendon of flexor hallucis longus, fibular trochlea, calcaneal tuberosity, medial and lateral process of calcaneal tuberosity, anterior process of calcaneus |
| Articulations |
Subtalar joint: Talus, calcaneus Calcaneocuboid joint: Calcaneus, cuboid bone |
| Attachments |
Calcaneal sulcus: Interosseous and lateral talocalcaneal ligaments, anterior talocalcaneal ligament (cervical ligament), medial root of inferior extensor retinaculum Non-articular area: Extensor digitorum brevis muscle, main band of inferior extensor retinaculum, stem of bifurcate ligament Sustentaculum tali: Flexor retinaculum, plantar calcaneonavicular ligament, medial collateral ligament (deltoid ligament), medial talocalcaneal ligament, flexor digitorum longus muscle, tibialis posterior muscle, quadratus plantae muscle Fibular trochlea: Calcaneofibular ligament Posterior aspect of calcaneus: Long plantar ligament, plantar calcaneocuboid ligament (short plantar ligament), calcaneal tendon, quadratus plantae muscle, plantaris muscle Medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity: Superficial part of flexor retinaculum, plantar aponeurosis, abductor hallucis muscle, flexor digitorum brevis muscle Lateral process of the calcaneal tuberosity: Abductor digiti minimi |
Well done!
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