01 / Location & anatomical relationships
At the back of the foot, beneath the ankle.
02 / Structure & organization
The calcaneus forms the heel's bony base. A specialized fibrofatty pad beneath it distributes impact, while the calcaneal tendon attaches posteriorly. The subtalar articulation above contributes to hindfoot movement.
03 / Function
A pad of tissue cushions the large heel bone underneath.
04 / Mechanism
The calcaneus is the large bone that forms the heel. A pad of soft tissue underneath helps spread pressure against the ground. The Achilles tendon attaches at the back and transfers the pull of the calf muscles.
Part of a bigger picture
The heel belongs in our legs & feet collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
Explore legs & feet →FOR DEEPER STUDY
Connect structure with function
Heel cushioning and calf-force transmission involve different surfaces of the same bone. The heel is a soft-tissue region as well as a skeletal landmark.
Check your understanding
Locate the heel in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.