What is the name of the largest bone in the human foot?

The largest bone in the human foot is the calcaneus, also known as the heel bone.

The calcaneus is the biggest of the seven tarsal bones and forms the bony foundation of the heel. It sits beneath the talus, the ankle bone, and helps form the subtalar joint, which allows the foot to tilt from side to side. At its rear, the calcaneus receives the Achilles tendon, linking it to the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the calf.

This bone is much more than a solid heel block. Its shape helps transmit body weight from the ankle into the ground, while its internal structure absorbs forces produced during walking, running, and jumping. Several smaller muscles of the foot also attach to it, helping stabilize the sole and control the toes.

The talus is a frequent wrong answer because it is an important ankle and foot bone positioned directly above the calcaneus. The navicular and cuboid are also tarsal bones, but they are smaller. A calcaneus fracture, sometimes called a lover’s fracture when caused by a high fall, can seriously affect walking because it damages the heel’s weight-bearing architecture.