CALCANEUS

The calcaneus 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 . It is also known as the heel bone.

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Human

Horse

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Human

It articulates with two other tarsal bones, the talus above and the cuboid toward the midfoot. In addition to receiving the weight of the body with each step, the calcaneus is the anchor for the plantar fascia, which supports the arch of the foot.
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

★ Bone terminology

★ Calcaneal fracture, also known as ''Lover's fracture'' and ''Don Juan fracture''

★ Terms for anatomical location

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