Calcaneus, Lateral View

Description

Viewed from the lateral side, the calcaneus forms the posterior pillar of the foot, positioned inferior to the talus and posterior to the cuboid, with the calcaneal tuberosity projecting most posteriorly to create the heel contour. Superiorly, the posterior facet of the calcaneus meets the talus at the subtalar joint, while the anterior process extends anterolaterally toward the calcaneocuboid articulation. Along the lateral wall, the peroneal trochlea (fibular trochlea) lies distal to the lateral malleolar region and separates the courses of fibularis (peroneus) longus and brevis tendons. Bony texture is the point. Clinical teaching often hinges on this exact profile because lateral calcaneal morphology guides both diagnosis and operative planning for calcaneal fracture patterns, including Essex-Lopresti tongue-type versus joint-depression configurations that disrupt the posterior facet. The lateral view also clarifies why a reduced Böhler angle on radiographs correlates with loss of calcaneal height and subtalar incongruity, a common source of post-traumatic hindfoot pain and stiffness. For lateral surgical approaches, appreciating the relationship between the lateral calcaneal wall, peroneal tendon sheath, and the subtalar joint line helps frame discussions of lateral wall blowout and peroneal impingement. Use this image for orthopedic and podiatry lectures on hindfoot anatomy, fracture classification, and subtalar biomechanics, or for radiology teaching files when pairing the illustration with a lateral foot or calcaneus X-ray. It also fits well in medical publisher atlases covering the tarsal bones, heel pain differentials, and arthrodesis planning of the subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.