What is the adjective form of calcaneus?

What is the adjective form of calcaneus?

• A. Calcaneus
• B. Tarsal
• C. Calcaneal
• D. Plantar

Answer: (B)

Adjective forms in medical terminology are usually made by adding -al to the bone’s root to mean “pertaining to.” For calcaneus, the root is calcane-, so the adjective is calcaneal, used to describe things related to the heel bone (for example, calcaneal fracture or calcaneal tuberosity). The noun form calcaneus is the bone’s name itself, not an adjective. Tarsal relates to the tarsus (the set of foot bones) and can function as a noun or adjective, but it’s not derived from calcaneus. Plantar describes the sole of the foot, not the calcaneus. So calcaneal is the correct adjective form.

Adjective forms in medical terminology are usually made by adding -al to the bone’s root to mean “pertaining to.” For calcaneus, the root is calcane-, so the adjective is calcaneal, used to describe things related to the heel bone (for example, calcaneal fracture or calcaneal tuberosity).

The noun form calcaneus is the bone’s name itself, not an adjective. Tarsal relates to the tarsus (the set of foot bones) and can function as a noun or adjective, but it’s not derived from calcaneus. Plantar describes the sole of the foot, not the calcaneus. So calcaneal is the correct adjective form.