Anatom3DAchilles tendon
Tendo calcaneus · Achillova šlacha
Fascia & connective tissue
Looks like
The thickest, strongest tendon in the body, joining the calf muscles to the back of the heel bone.
What it does
Carries the calf's pull to the heel for walking, running and jumping.
Keeping it well
Sudden pain like a kick at the back of the heel is a rupture — seen the same day. Some antibiotics (fluoroquinolones) raise the risk of tears.
Related conditions
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Clubfoot (talipes equinovarus)
- Compartment syndrome
- Growing pains
- Lymphangitis
- Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
- Lymphoedema
- Restless legs syndrome
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
- Tendinopathy (tennis & golfer's elbow, Achilles, patellar)
- Varicose veins
- Venomous snakebite