calcaneus

American  

[kal-key-nee-uhs] / kælˈkeɪ ni əs /

noun

plural

calcanei

1. Anatomy. the largest tarsal bone, forming the prominence of the heel.

2. Zoology. the corresponding bone in other vertebrates.

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calcaneus British  

/ kælˈkeɪnɪəm, kælˈkeɪnɪəs /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: heel bone.  the largest tarsal bone, forming the heel in man

2. the corresponding bone in other vertebrates

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Other Word Forms

• calcaneal adjective
• calcanean adjective

Etymology

Origin of calcaneus

1920–25; < Late Latin: heel, noun use of calcāneus of the heel; calcaneum

Example Sentences

While some ankle fractures can heal in weeks, a broken calcaneus has a longer recovery time.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2024

The calcaneus is more commonly known as the heel bone.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2024

Capela is dealing with a right calcaneus contusion and plantar fasciitis in his foot, while Labissiere is rehabbing a left-knee injury.

From Reuters • Feb. 19, 2020

Ligaments that unite the medial or lateral malleolus with the talus and calcaneus bones serve to support the talocrural joint and to resist excess eversion or inversion of the foot.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Later, there is pain over the greater process of the calcaneus in front of the lateral malleolus, from these bones coming into contact.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander