Middle Facet For Calcaneus Of The Talus, Posterior View

Description

Talus occupies the center of this posterior view, with the middle calcaneal facet visible on its inferior surface where it articulates with the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus. Medially, the facet sits just anterior to the posterior process of the talus, while the broader posterior calcaneal facet extends more laterally beneath the talar body. The contour of the posterior talar process and its medial and lateral tubercles frames the groove for the flexor hallucis longus tendon on the plantar aspect, providing a fixed landmark for orienting the subtalar joint surface geometry in the hindfoot. Subtalar mechanics hinge on this articular pairing: the middle facet on the talus and the corresponding facet on the sustentaculum form a stable medial column that constrains inversion and eversion while the posterior facet bears much of the axial load transmitted from the tibia through the talar body. Loss of congruity here is a common driver of painful subtalar arthritis after calcaneal fractures, and the middle facet region is also central when discussing talocalcaneal coalition and its limited subtalar motion. The posterior perspective clarifies how the middle facet relates to the posterior talar process and to the calcaneal shelf, which is useful when teaching screw trajectories and joint-sparing approaches in hindfoot fixation. Orthopaedic and podiatric surgery texts can pair this illustration with discussions of subtalar arthrodesis, calcaneal fracture reduction, and sustentacular screw placement. It also suits anatomy lab guides and musculoskeletal radiology teaching files when correlating posterior hindfoot landmarks with CT assessment of the posterior facet and middle facet alignment. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.