Also called: heel bone
The calcaneus, or heel bone, is the largest tarsal bone of the foot. It forms the prominence of the heel, receives the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon and articulates with the talus above and the cuboid in front. It transmits body weight to the ground.
| Type | Short (tarsal) bone. |
|---|---|
| Location | Posterior foot, below the talus. |
| Landmarks | Calcaneal tuberosity, sustentaculum tali, peroneal trochlea, articular facets for the talus and cuboid. |
| Articulations | Talus (subtalar joint) and cuboid (calcaneocuboid joint). |
| Muscle attachments | Gastrocnemius and soleus (via the calcaneal tendon), plantar aponeurosis, short plantar muscles. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
The sustentaculum tali is a shelf that supports the talus and carries the tendon of flexor hallucis longus.
The calcaneal (Achilles) tendon of gastrocnemius and soleus and the plantar aponeurosis.
A bony shelf on the medial calcaneus that supports the talus.
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