Talus, Medial View

Description

Medial talar anatomy is presented with the trochlea tali forming the superior articular surface for the tibial plafond, while the rounded caput tali projects anteriorly to meet the navicular. Inferior to the talar neck, the sustentacular facet (middle calcaneal facet) appears as a discrete, medially facing articular area that sits directly above the calcaneal sustentaculum tali; the sulcus tali runs posterior to it and contributes to the tarsal canal with the calcaneal sulcus. Posteriorly, the corpus tali tapers toward the posterior process, and the medial malleolar surface lies medial to the trochlear dome. No muscular attachments. All ligament. This medial perspective matters because it clarifies the talocalcaneonavicular complex and the medial portion of the subtalar joint, where alignment changes translate into hindfoot valgus or varus and altered midfoot mechanics. The sustentacular facet is a key landmark in intraarticular calcaneal fractures and in subtalar arthroscopy, and it is also where coalition-related bridging or degenerative change can limit inversion and eversion. Seeing the sulcus tali in profile helps when teaching the course of the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament and why sinus tarsi pain localizes anterolaterally, not medially. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and musculoskeletal anatomy teaching to orient students to the talus as the link between tibia, calcaneus, and navicular, and in orthopaedic or podiatry texts discussing subtalar arthritis, tarsal coalition, and hindfoot reconstruction. It also fits radiology education when correlating medial oblique ankle radiographs or CT reconstructions with the sustentacular region. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.