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Heel
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{{short description|Back of the foot}} {{Other uses}} {{Infobox anatomy | Name = Heel | Latin = calx | Image = Girls heel.jpg | Caption = A girl heel | Image2 = | Caption2 = | Precursor = | System = | Artery = | Vein = | Nerve = | Lymph = }} 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 == [[File:Science ofDressTo face p236cutA.png|thumb|Sagittal section through the foot]] [[File:Ospied-en.svg|thumb|From above]] To distribute the compressive forces exerted on the heel during [[gait]], and especially the stance phase when the heel contacts the ground, the [[sole (foot)|sole]] of the foot is covered by a layer of subcutaneous connective tissue up to 2 cm thick (under the heel)<!--- illustrated but not mentioned in given ref --->. This tissue has a system of pressure chambers that both acts as a shock absorber and stabilises the sole. Each of these chambers contains fibrofatty tissue covered by a layer of tough connective tissue made of [[collagen]] fibers. These [[septum|septa]] ("walls") are firmly attached both to the [[plantar aponeurosis]] above and the sole's [[Dermis|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. <ref>''Thieme Atlas'' 2006, p 418</ref> The [[Achilles tendon]] is the muscle tendon of the [[triceps surae]], a "three-headed" group of muscles—the [[soleus muscle|soleus]] and the two heads of the [[gastrocnemius muscle|gastrocnemius]]. The main function of the triceps surae is [[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. <ref>''Thieme Atlas'' 2006, p 434</ref> == 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 [[cuboid bone]] to the [[calcaneus|heel bone]] and the medial rays over the three cuneiform bones and the [[navicular bone]] to the [[ankle bone]]. Because the ankle bone is placed over the heel bone, these rays are adjacent near the toes but overriding near the heel, and together they form the [[arches of the foot]] that are optimized to distributed compressive forces across an uneven terrain. In this context the heel thus forms the posterior point of support that together with the [[ball (anatomy)|balls]] of the large and little toes bear the brunt of the loads.<ref>''Thieme Atlas'' 2006, p 412</ref> == Cracked heels == Cracked heels is a common health problem and it may cause [[infection]]s. It is caused by dryness of the foot skin,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footvitals.com/skin/dry-feet.html|title=Dry, Cracked Feet: Treatment, Causes, and Home Remedies|website=www.footvitals.com|access-date=2016-09-26|archive-date=2021-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425065837/https://www.footvitals.com/skin/dry-feet.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and accumulation of [[dead skin]]. Over time, it may cause pain and irritations. Various [[moisturising cream]]s and [[foot file]]s are available to cure and prevent it. == Other animals == In the long-footed mammals, both the hoofed species ([[unguligrade]]) and the clawed forms which walk on the toes ([[digitigrade]]), the heel is well above the ground at the apex of the angular joint known as the [[hock (zoology)|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). == See also == {{Commons category|Heels}} {{Wiktionary}} * [[Achilles' heel]] a metaphor for weakness * [[Heel of Italy]], the southeast of Italy. after its position in the "boot" * [[ball (anatomy)|Ball of the foot]] * [[Calcaneal spur]] heel-bone * [[Callus]] Hard skin which may cause painful cracks in the heel and [[Sole (foot)|sole]] of the [[foot]] * [[Plantar fasciitis]] "policeman's heel" disorder * [[High-heeled footwear]] fashion * [[Squatting position]] == Notes == {{Reflist}} == References == * {{cite book | title = Thieme Atlas of Anatomy: General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System | publisher = Thieme | year = 2006 | isbn = 1-58890-419-9 }} {{Human anatomical features}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Foot]]
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