A tendon attaches muscle to bone. The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel bone (calcaneus). It is the largest tendon in the body and withstands a large amount of weight with each foot movement.
The Achilles tendon allows the foot to point downward and enables a person to stand on his or her toes.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Barry L. Scurran, DPM - Podiatric Surgery |
| Last Updated | July 23, 2007 |
Author:Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Last Updated: 07/23/2007
