Heel

Heel
Heel
	A girl heel
Details
Identifiers
Latin	calx
MeSH	D006365
TA98	A01.1.00.042
TA2	167
FMA	24994
	Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The heel is the prominence at the posterior end of the foot. It is based on the projection of one bone, the calcaneus or heel bone, behind the articulation of the bones of the lower leg.

Structure

To distribute the compressive forces exerted on the heel during

plantar aponeurosis above and the sole's skin

below. The sole of the foot is one of the most highly vascularized regions of the body surface, and the dense system of blood vessels further stabilize the septa. [1]

The

plantar flexion, i.e. to stretch the foot downward. It is accompanied by a "fourth head", the slight plantaris muscle

, the long slender tendon of which is also attached to the heel bone but not visible. [2]

Function

The compressive forces applied to the foot are distributed along five rays, three medial (side of big toe) and two lateral (side of little toe). The lateral rays stretch over the

balls of the large and little toes bear the brunt of the loads.^[3]

Cracked heels

Cracked heels is a common health problem and it may cause

foot files

are available to cure and prevent it.

Other animals

In the long-footed mammals, both the hoofed species (

hock. In plantigrade species, it rests on the ground. In birds, the heel is the backward-pointing joint which is often mistaken as the "knee

" (the actual knee of birds is hidden under the plumage).

Notes

^ Thieme Atlas 2006, p 418
^ Thieme Atlas 2006, p 434
^ Thieme Atlas 2006, p 412
^ "Dry, Cracked Feet: Treatment, Causes, and Home Remedies". www.footvitals.com.

References

Thieme Atlas of Anatomy: General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System. Thieme. 2006.
ISBN 1-58890-419-9
.

[1] Thieme Atlas 2006, p 418

[2] Thieme Atlas 2006, p 434

[3] Thieme Atlas 2006, p 412

[4] "Dry, Cracked Feet: Treatment, Causes, and Home Remedies". www.footvitals.com.

[3]