Calcaneus, Lateral View

Description

Seen from the lateral aspect, the calcaneus (heel bone) dominates the hindfoot tarsus with the posterior calcaneal tuberosity rising superiorly and posteriorly, and the plantar surface extending anteriorly toward the calcaneocuboid articulation. Along the lateral wall, the fibular trochlea (peroneal tubercle) forms a distinct bony pulley that separates the course of the fibularis (peroneus) brevis tendon superiorly from the fibularis longus tendon inferiorly as they pass behind the lateral malleolus. Anterior and slightly superior to this region, the lateral process and posterior facet region for the talus define the subtalar joint contour. Small surface irregularities and nutrient foramina are expected at this magnification. Lateral calcaneal anatomy matters because it is where tendon mechanics, hindfoot stability, and common overuse pain intersect. Hypertrophy of the fibular trochlea or a prominent peroneal tubercle can contribute to fibularis longus or brevis tenosynovitis, mechanical impingement, or tendon subluxation, and it is a frequent point of palpation in patients with lateral hindfoot pain after inversion injury. This view also orients surgeons and imagers to the peroneal tendon groove relationship when planning retromalleolar exploration, addressing peroneal tendon tears, or interpreting CT and MRI for calcaneal fracture extension into the subtalar joint. Ideal for gross anatomy teaching of the tarsus, podiatry and orthopaedic lecture slides on lateral ankle and hindfoot pain, and clinical reference material that needs a clean landmark-based depiction of the peroneal tendon pulley on the heel bone in a male specimen. Also suitable for textbooks discussing subtalar biomechanics, calcaneal fracture morphology, and lateral approach corridors to the hindfoot. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.