Calcaneus, Medial View

Description

Medial relief of the calcaneus (heel bone) brings the sustentaculum tali into clear profile as it projects medially from the superior surface to underlie the talus. Superior to the calcaneal body, the posterior talar articular facet is seen dorsal to the sustentaculum, while the groove for the flexor hallucis longus tendon tracks inferior to it on the medial aspect. Posteriorly, the calcaneal tuberosity thickens toward the plantar surface, and anteriorly the bone narrows toward its articulation with the cuboid at the anterior end of the tarsus. A bony shelf. This medial perspective matters because the sustentaculum tali is a key landmark in hindfoot alignment and fracture classification, and it anchors the spring ligament complex supporting the medial longitudinal arch. In displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures, a so-called sustentacular fragment may remain relatively stable due to strong ligamentous attachments, while the lateral wall and posterior facet displace, a pattern that drives CT-based surgical planning. The flexor hallucis longus groove also explains tendon irritation or entrapment in malunited fractures and after subtalar arthrodesis, where hardware can encroach on the medial wall. Use this plate in gross anatomy and musculoskeletal anatomy teaching to orient students to the subtalar joint, medial arch support, and tendon relationships around the hindfoot. It also fits orthopaedic and radiology materials discussing calcaneal fracture morphology, subtalar arthritis, and medial approaches to the hindfoot, where the sustentaculum and FHL are constant reference points. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.