Calcaneus – Anatomy, Nerve Supply, Bone Landmark

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 6 min read
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Calcaneus is a large and strong bone that forms the back of the foot and transfers most of the body weight from the lower extremity to the ground. It is the largest of the seven articulating bones that make up the tarsus. The calcaneus is...

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বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

Calcaneus is a large and strong bone that forms the back of the foot and transfers most of the body weight from the lower extremity to the ground. It is the largest of the seven articulating bones that make up the tarsus. The calcaneus is located in the hindfoot with the talus and articulates with the talus and cuboid bones. Numerous ligaments and muscles attach...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Anatomy of Calcaneus in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Blood Supply of Calcaneus in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Bony Landmarks in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Nerves of Calcaneus in simple medical language.
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1

Emergency now

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2

See a doctor

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3

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Definition

Calcaneus is a large and strong bone that forms the back of the foot and transfers most of the body weight from the lower extremity to the ground. It is the largest of the seven articulating bones that make up the tarsus. The calcaneus is located in the hindfoot with the talus and articulates with the talus and cuboid bones. Numerous ligaments and muscles attach to the calcaneus and help with its role in human bipedal biomechanics.

Anatomy of Calcaneus

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.

The posterior surface of the calcaneus has a circular convex structure with three distinct facets. The middle facet serves as the attachment site for the calcaneal tendon (Achilles tendon), while the superior facet is separated from the calcaneal tendon by the retrocalcaneal bursa. The inferior facet bends towards the lower calcaneal surface to form the calcaneal tuberosity, the lowest part of the posterior calcaneal surface. The lower calcaneal surface or plantar surface forms from the forward protrusion of the calcaneal tuberosity, which leads to the formation of medial and lateral processes on both sides, and the calcaneal tubercle in the front.

The lateral calcaneal surface is a wide, flat surface, except for the two bony protrusions on it. The protrusion in the front is the peroneal tubercle (fibular trochlea) above and below which the tendons of the fibularis brevis and fibularis longus muscles pass, respectively. The protrusion in the back is a small bony elevation that gives attachment to the calcaneofibular ligament. The medial calcaneal surface is home to a bone protrusion, called sustentaculum tali, which carries the middle talar articular facet (one of the three talocalcaneal joint facets). And in the inferior aspect of the sustentaculum tali, there exists a groove that houses the flexor hallucis longus tendon.

The superior calcaneal surface hosts the anterior and posterior talar articular facets. The groove between these two facets so-called the calcaneal sulcus, and the corresponding talar sulcus join together to form the tarsal sinus (sinus tarsi). The tarsal sinus is a quite large space located between the anterior portions of the calcaneus and talus, and it contains several neurovascular structures and ligaments, some portions of the subtalar joint capsule, and fat. The anterior calcaneal surface is the smallest face that has an articular facet for the calcaneocuboid joint.

The calcaneus articulates with talus through the talocalcaneal joint in which the contact between the two bones derives from the anterior, middle, and posterior facets. The talocalcaneal joint, also known as the subtalar joint, allows for essential foot motions such as inversion, eversion, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion of the foot. Besides, the calcaneus serves as an attachment point for the Achilles tendon, which produces aids in plantar flexion of the foot vital for standing, walking, running, and jumping. The calcaneus serves as an attachment point also for muscles that move the toes. The bone has several joint stabilizing ligaments attached to it, such as the calcaneofibular, talocalcaneal, calcaneocuboid, and calcaneonavicular ligaments. The plantar aponeurosis and long plantar ligament support the arch of the foot and attach to the calcaneus as well.

Blood Supply of Calcaneus

The calcaneus is surrounded by and receives its blood supply from a superficial network of arteries called the calcaneal anastomosis, which is formed by branches of the posterior tibial and fibular arteries. Much of the lymphatic flow follows the vasculature and flows up the leg through the popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes before passing through the thoracic duct.

Bony Landmarks

Posterior aspect

The calcaneus is an irregular bone, cuboid in shape whose superior surface can be divided into three areas – the posterior, middle, and anterior aspects. The posterior aspect is rough and concavo-convex in shape. This convexity supports the fibro adipose tissue (Kager’s fat pad) between the calcaneal tendon and the ankle joint.

Middle aspect

The middle aspect carries the posterior talar facet which is oval and convex in shape, while the anterior aspect is partly articular. A rough depression – the sulcus calcanei or calcaneal sulcus – narrows into a groove on the medial side connecting the sinus tarsi with the talus.

Anterior aspect

The front of the calcaneus features many curves to accommodate the talus and the many different tarsal bones, which lead to the metatarsals and phalanges. The back of the calacaneus is not as complex, featuring a tuberosity and a medial process.

Nerves of Calcaneus

The calcaneus receives its nerve supply from branches of the tibial and sural nerves. The calcaneal nerve branches include the medial calcaneal branches of the tibial nerve and lateral calcaneal branches of the sural nerve.

Muscles Attachment of Calcaneus

Three muscles join together to form the Achilles tendon and connect to the calcaneal tubercle. Additionally, six muscles originate from the calcaneal surface and disperse to the areas where they function.

  • The gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris – They are the primary plantar flexors that combine to form the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon attaches to the calcaneal tubercle.
  • The extensor digitorum brevis – It originates on the dorsolateral side of the calcaneus and provides an extension of the second to fourth digits.
  • The abductor hallucis – It originates on the medial process of calcaneal tuberosity and abducts the first digit.
  • The extensor hallucis brevis – It originates on the dorsal aspect of the calcaneus and extends the first digit.
  • The abductor digiti minimi – It originates on the calcaneal tubercle and provides flexion and extension of the fifth toe.
  • The flexor digitorum brevis – It originates on the calcaneal tubercle and helps provide flexion to the second to fourth digits.
  • The quadratus plantae – It originates on the lateral and medial processes of the calcaneus and helps provide flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint.

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. Their specific functions include plantar flexion of the foot, flexion of the knee, and steadying the leg on the ankle during standing. The calcaneus also serves as origin for several short muscles that run along the sole of the foot and control the toes.

References

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Safe first steps

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OTC medicine safety

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Avoid these mistakes

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Get urgent help if

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Tests to discuss with doctor
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  • Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
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Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

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Care roadmap for: Calcaneus – Anatomy, Nerve Supply, Bone Landmark

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

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