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Heel anatomy: what you need to know to understand your pain

The calcaneus is the true protagonist. It is the largest bone in the foot and the one that primarily forms the heel. When we talk about calcaneus anatomy, we're referring to this parallelepiped-shaped structure located at the very back of the foot. But it doesn't work alone. The anatomy of the calcaneus is closely linked to other heel bones, such as the cuboid, navicular, and cuneiforms. All these heel bones work together to create what we call the "arch of the foot." The heel bone, also known as the calcaneus, has some interesting peculiarities. Its upper surface articulates with the talus (the bone above it), while the lower surface is where the muscles attach and where all of our body…

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 Parts Of The Human Heel

The weight of the entire body rests on the feet. The heel supports and cushions the shocks of the body. Comprised of many separate parts, the human heel is a marvel of engineering.

Articles of Interest

Anatomy of the Heel: Understanding the Complex Structure

The calcaneus, or heel bone, is the largest bone in the foot. It serves as the foundation for the rear part of the foot and plays a crucial role in walking and running by providing a lever for muscles to exert force. It also bears most of our body load when walking or running, taking high impact and pressure every step we take.

Bone of the Week: The Calcaneus

Better known as the heel bone, the calcaneus is the largest bone in the foot and plays a critical role in standing, walking, running, and jumping. It serves as the attachment point for the Achilles tendon and helps absorb the impact of every step we take. Because it bears so much stress, the calcaneus can be affected by fractures, tendon injuries, and conditions that cause chronic heel pain.

Calcaneus facts for kids

The calcaneus has several big jobs: Supporting your weight: When you stand, walk, or run, the calcaneus is one of the first bones to hit the ground. It helps to carry and spread out your body's weight. Giving your foot shape: It forms the back part of your foot's arch, which acts like a natural spring. Helping you move: Many strong muscles and tendons attach to the calcaneus. The most famous one is the Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. This tendon is essential for pushing off the ground when you walk or jump.

How the Heel Works

In terms of biomechanics, the heel has two interesting and critical functions. First, when standing upright on both feet, a person is aided by the heel because it serves as a kind of weight-bearing support unit. In other words, the heel is stabilizing and protective. Second, when an individual is engaging in physical activities that involve motion (such as walking, running, or jumping), the heel acts as a type of lever which engages muscles in the calf.

Unlocking the secrets of the Achilles' heel

Walking, running, sprinting -- every movement of the foot stretches the Achilles' tendon. When jumping, the loads can approach ten times the body weight. Amazingly, the connection between the heel bone and Achilles' tendon withstands theses tremendous loads