HUMAN CALCANIUM

VARIATIONS IN THE ARTICULAR FACETS OF THE SUSTENTACULUM TALI

Abstract

Sustentaculum tali is a projection at the apex of the longitudinal arch and thus occupies a key position in the subtalar joint. The articular facets of the sustentaculum tali have a variety of configurations. OBJECTIVES To study the variations of articular facets of the sustentaculum tali of the calcanium. MATERIAL & METHODS Total two hundred human calcanei were studied with naked eye obtained from the Anatomy department of the Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad and K.E. Medical College, Lahore. RESULTS Type I – 78.5% calcanei with long continuous facets. Type II – 13.5% calcanei with two facets and Type III – 8% calcanei with medial facets only. CONCLUSION The variations in the facets are due to different regions and races and may predispose people to subtalar joint instability.