3D CONTENT
3D OSTEOLOGY
3D LOWER LIMB

CALCANEUS ANATOMY

Calcaneus X-ray 360-degree interactive viewer showing internal bone structure, trabecular pattern, and cortical bone density

Calcaneus - X-Ray View, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL STRUCTURE

Calcaneus anatomy 360-degree viewer showing calcaneal tuberosity, sustentaculum tali, talar articular surfaces, and cuboid articular surface

Calcaneus - General Structure, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.

The calcaneus is the largest tarsal bone, located at the lower and posterior part of the foot. It plays a crucial role in transmitting the body's weight to the ground and serves as a lever for the muscles of the calf, contributing to movement and stability.

  • Forms the heel of the foot
  • Supports the talus above
  • Articulates anteriorly with the cuboid bone
  • Essential for weight-bearing and locomotion

POSTERIOR EXTREMITY (CALCANEAL TUBEROSITY)

The posterior extremity of the calcaneus, also known as the calcaneal tuberosity, is the prominent projection that forms the heel. It is convex and wider below than above, divided into two processes.

Medial Process

  • Broader of the two processes
  • Attachment site for:
    • Abductor hallucis (prominent medial margin)
    • Plantar aponeurosis (anteriorly)
  • Important for arch support

Lateral Process

  • Smaller, prominent, and rounded
  • Origin site for part of the Abductor digiti quinti
  • Contributes to heel stability

SUSTENTACULUM TALI

The sustentaculum tali is a shelf-like projection located above the concavity on the medial surface of the calcaneus. It is a critical structure for supporting the talus.

  • Shelf-like projection on the medial surface
  • Supports the talus
  • Groove on its plantar surface accommodates the tendon of Flexor hallucis longus
  • Important for subtalar joint stability

TARSAL SINUS & CALCANEAL SULCUS

Calcaneal Sulcus

  • Groove on the calcaneus
  • Forms the tarsal sinus (together with the sulcus tali of the talus)
  • Located between articular surfaces

Tarsal Sinus

  • Formed by the sulcus calcanei of the calcaneus and the sulcus tali of the talus
  • Creates a tunnel filled with ligaments
  • Contains the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament
  • Important for subtalar joint stability

TALAR ARTICULAR SURFACES

The calcaneus has three articular surfaces for articulation with the talus, forming the subtalar joint complex.

Anterior Talar Articular Surface

  • Located on the calcaneus
  • For articulation with the head of talus
  • Smallest of the three surfaces

Middle Talar Articular Surface

  • Located on the sustentaculum tali
  • Supports the talus
  • Often continuous with the anterior surface

Posterior Talar Articular Surface

  • Large, oval-shaped facet
  • Located on the dorsal surface of the calcaneus
  • Articulates with the talus
  • Largest of the three surfaces

ANTERIOR FEATURES

Fibular Trochlea

  • Often indistinctly marked
  • Attachment site for the inferior peroneal retinaculum
  • Separates two grooves for the tendons of the peronei muscles

Groove for the Tendon of Fibularis Longus

  • Runs obliquely forwards and medialwards on the plantar surface of the cuboid
  • Lodges the tendon of Fibularis longus

Articular Surface for the Cuboid

  • Triangular shape
  • Concave from above downwards and lateralwards
  • Convex in the perpendicular direction
  • Forms the calcaneocuboid joint

Anterior Process of the Calcaneus

  • Supports the articular surface for the cuboid
  • Projects forwards
  • Forms part of the calcaneocuboid joint
  • Common site for avulsion fractures

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Henry G, Warren HL. Osteology. In: Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1918. p. 129–97.

⋮⋮ Calcaneus Quiz
1/3 Score: 0