calcaneus

[kal-key-nee-uh s] /kælˈkeɪ ni əs/

noun, plural calcanei

[kal-key-nee-ahy] /kælˈkeɪ niˌaɪ/ (Show IPA)

Anatomy. the largest tarsal bone, forming the prominence of the heel.

Zoology. the corresponding bone in other vertebrates.

Also, calcaneum.

Also called heel bone.

Origin

1920-25; < Late Latin: heel, noun use of calcāneus of the heel; see calcaneum

Related forms

calcaneal, calcanean, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for calcaneus

calcaneus

/kælˈkeɪnɪəs/

noun (pl) -nei (-nɪˌaɪ), -nea (-nɪə)

the largest tarsal bone, forming the heel in man Nontechnical name heel bone

the corresponding bone in other vertebrates

Derived Forms

calcaneal, calcanean, adjective

Word Origin

C19: from Late Latin: heel, from Latin calx heel

Word Origin and History for calcaneus

from Latin (os) calcaneum "bone of the heel," from calcem (nominative calx (1)) "heel."

calcaneus in Medicine

calcaneus cal·ca·ne·us (kāl-kā'nē-əs) or cal·ca·ne·um (-nē-əm)
n. pl. cal·ca·ne·i (-nē-ī') or cal·ca·ne·a (-nē-ə)
The quadrangular bone at the back of the tarsus, the largest of the tarsal bones. Also called heel bone.

cal·ca'ne·al adj.