Middle Facet For Calcaneus Of The Talus In Inferior View

Description

Arising on the inferior aspect of the talar neck, the middle calcaneal facet appears as an oval articular surface set medial to the sulcus tali and anterior to the posterior calcaneal facet. The animation holds an inferior view while subtly rotating the talus to clarify how this facet sits on the plantar side of the neck, bridging the head and body. As the bone turns, adjacent landmarks come into alignment, including the talar head anteriorly and the lateral talar process more posteriorly. Clear orientation, quickly. Orthopedists and radiologists care about this small surface because it forms part of the talocalcaneal articulation and helps define subtalar joint congruence, a key variable in hindfoot alignment and post-traumatic arthritis after talar neck fractures. Coalition anatomy also lives here: a talocalcaneal (middle facet) coalition commonly limits subtalar inversion and eversion and can be subtle on plain radiographs. Motion in the sequence makes the 3D relationship between the middle facet, the sulcus tali (leading into the sinus tarsi), and the surrounding talar neck geometry easier to teach than a single plate. Use this animation in gross anatomy and lower-limb MSK teaching blocks to anchor subtalar joint surfaces, or in orthopedic and podiatry lectures on calcaneovalgus, flatfoot evaluation, and talocalcaneal coalition imaging and resection planning. It also suits figure panels for atlases, exam prep resources, and radiology modules that correlate inferior bony landmarks with CT reformats and hindfoot alignment studies. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.