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calcaneus

American  
[kal-key-nee-uhs] / kælˈkeɪ ni əs /

noun

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

  2. Zoology. the corresponding bone in other vertebrates.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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Nouns

Etymology

Origin of calcaneus

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The calcaneus is more commonly known as the heel bone.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 24, 2024

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

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

The joints between the talus and navicular bones and the calcaneus and cuboid bones are also important contributors to these movements.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

The base of the wedge is on the lateral aspect, and the bone removed includes parts of the calcaneus, cuboid, talus, and navicular.

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

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