Where the calcaneus sits in the skeleton
The calcaneus is the heel bone, the largest of the tarsal bones. The Achilles tendon attaches to its back. There is one on each side of the body. It meets the talus above and the cuboid in front. A shelf on its inner side, the sustentaculum tali, supports the talus, and the tendon of the flexor hallucis longus runs beneath it.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of the skeleton is the calcaneus in?
The calcaneus is one of the bones of the foot. The foot is made of seven tarsal bones, five metatarsals, fourteen phalanges and the sesamoid bones.
How many bones are in the foot?
Each foot has 26 bones: seven tarsal bones, five metatarsals and fourteen phalanges in the toes, plus small sesamoid bones.
Is there one calcaneus or a pair?
The calcaneus is paired: there is one on the left and one on the right, and this page covers both.
Which bones does the calcaneus meet?
The talus above and the cuboid in front.
Other bones of the foot
- Talus
- Navicular bone of foot
- Cuboid bone
- Medial cuneiform bone
- Intermediate cuneiform bone
- Lateral cuneiform bone
- Sesamoid bone of foot
- First metatarsal bone
- Second metatarsal bone
- Third metatarsal bone
- Fourth metatarsal bone
- Fifth metatarsal bone
- Proximal phalanx of big toe
- Distal phalanx of big toe
- Proximal phalanx of second toe
- Middle phalanx of second toe
- Distal phalanx of second toe
- Proximal phalanx of third toe
- Middle phalanx of third toe
- Distal phalanx of third toe
- Proximal phalanx of fourth toe
- Middle phalanx of fourth toe
- Distal phalanx of fourth toe
- Proximal phalanx of little toe
- Middle phalanx of little toe
- Distal phalanx of little toe
Joints of the calcaneus
Compare with similar bones
Bone counts
By region
Read more
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Once the 3D model loads you can turn it and select each part.