Groove For The Tendon Of The Fibularis Longus On The Calcaneus, Lateral View

Description

Calcaneus landmarks on the lateral hindfoot are centered on the shallow groove that lodges the tendon of fibularis (peroneus) longus as it courses inferior to the fibular trochlea (peroneal tubercle). The sulcus lies on the lateral surface of the calcaneal body, positioned inferior and slightly anterior to the lateral malleolar facet, and it is separated from the more superior fibularis brevis track by the trochlear prominence. Posteriorly, the groove approaches the lateral border of the calcaneal tuberosity, while anteriorly it aligns toward the calcaneocuboid region where the tendon continues to the plantar foot. Bony relationships dominate the frame. Fine surface contour is the point. Lateral hindfoot pain often localizes to the peroneal tendons, and the fibular trochlea can be hypertrophic or irregular, predisposing the fibularis longus tendon to stenosing tenosynovitis and painful snapping beneath the inferior peroneal retinaculum. Orthopedic and foot and ankle surgeons also reference this groove when assessing lateral wall calcaneal fractures, where displacement and lateral bulging can narrow the peroneal tunnel and produce post-traumatic tendon irritation. One long, fixed perspective makes the spatial separation between the brevis and longus tendon paths easy to teach, and it supports correlation with oblique radiographs, CT bone windows, and surgical exposure along the lateral calcaneal wall. A small landmark, big consequences. Use this illustration in lower-limb anatomy teaching blocks, podiatry and orthopedics lectures on peroneal tendon disorders, and atlases covering tarsal osteology and the calcaneocuboid region. It also fits operative technique manuals describing lateral approaches to the calcaneus and peroneal tendon decompression. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.