What is a calcaneus in anatomy?
The calcaneus, or heel bone, is the largest tarsal and forms the prominence at the back of the foot. The remaining tarsals include the navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiforms. The cuboid and cuneiforms adjoin the metatarsal bones in a firm, nearly immovable joint.
What are the parts of the calcaneus?
The posterior part of the calcaneus is circular, with three facets (superior, middle and inferior). The superior facet is separated from the calcaneal tendon by the retrocalcaneal bursa. The middle facet provides the attachment site for the calcaneal tendon (Achilles tendon).
Where is the anterior process of the calcaneus?
The anterior process off the calcaneus is located at the anterior (front) portion of the heel bone. X-ray and ultrasound examination can show an anterior process of the calcaneum fracture. Ultrasound examination at The Foot and Ankle Centre can assist in diagnosing this problem.
What is the calcaneus and where is it located?
The calcaneus is a roughly rectangular prism-shaped bone located inferior to the talus and posterior to the midfoot. The long axis of the prism extends approximately along the mid-line of the foot. To understand the calcaneus structure, it is necessary to examine its six surfaces separately.
What group of bones includes the calcaneus?
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. The talus bone, calcaneus, and navicular bone are considered the proximal row of tarsal bones.
What muscles attach to calcaneus?
The calcaneus is the largest bone in the foot. It projects posterior to the tibia and fibula and acts as a short lever for the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) which insert onto its posterior surface via the Achilles tendon.
What 3 muscles attach to the calcaneus?
Function. Three muscles insert on the calcaneus: the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris. These muscles are part of the posterior compartment of the leg and aid in walking, running and jumping.
What is a calcaneal process fracture?
A fracture of the calcaneus, or heel bone, can be a painful and disabling injury. This type of fracture commonly occurs during a high-energy event — such as a car crash or a fall from a ladder — when the heel is crushed under the weight of the body.
What kind of bone is calcaneus?
The calcaneus is an irregular bone, cuboid in shape whose superior surface can be divided into three areas – the posterior, middle and anterior aspects.