Middle Facet For Calcaneus Of The Talus In Posterior View

Description

Presented in posterior view, the talus is oriented with the trochlea tali superior and the posterior process inferior, while focus tightens onto the middle calcaneal facet on the plantar surface of the talar body. The articular surface is shown opposing the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus, a shelf-like medial projection that sits inferior to the talus and supports the middle facet. As the sequence advances, subtle rotation and settling of the talus clarify how this middle facet relates spatially to the posterior calcaneal facet, the sulcus tali, and the sinus tarsi laterally. Small surface changes matter here. This articulation is a key element of subtalar joint congruity and hindfoot biomechanics, where coupled inversion and eversion occur through the talocalcaneal facets rather than a single hinge. Clinically, the animation helps explain why sustentaculum tali fractures, talar neck malalignment, or subtalar coalition can disrupt contact patterns at the middle facet and present as painful restriction of rearfoot motion. Motion in sequence makes the geometry legible, including how the medial bony shelf supports load transfer between talus and calcaneus during stance. Use it for gross anatomy and musculoskeletal teaching on the tarsal bones, for orthopaedic and podiatric lectures on subtalar instability and hindfoot alignment, or as a clean insert in textbooks and surgical atlases discussing calcaneal fracture fixation and subtalar arthrodesis planning. It also pairs well with radiology content when correlating posterior and oblique CT reconstructions of the subtalar facets. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.