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This article presents a detailed chronology regarding the development of terminology relating to the calcaneal tendon, from ancient times to modern day nomenclature. The notable contributions of Flemish anatomist Philip Verheyen, French surgeon Jean-Louis Petit, German anatomist and surgeon Lorenz Heister, along with the actual origin of the famous anatomical eponym "Achilles tendon" are analysed. During the study of the aforementioned authors, it was revealed that the term was first adopted, in its original French form, by J.-L. Petit in 1705 and later in 1717, in its Latin form, by L. Heister.

Diseases and injuries of several specific structures in the heel region have been an enduring focus of medicine: The anatomical terminology of many of these structures has not been established until recently. The aim of the study was a historical analysis of the advances of anatomical terminology of three selected morphological units in the heel region--the Achilles tendon, calcaneus and retrocalcaneal bursa. It starts with a critical evaluation of the mythological eposes, the Illiad and Odyssey, describing the exploits of heroes in the Trojan war, followed by a review of relevant terms used for the designation of selected heel structures in the Middle Ages as well as in the 18" and 19" centuries. Principal versions of Latin anatomical terms used for the denotation of the mentioned structures are discussed. Recently applicable Latin terms and their recommended English synonyms, according to the latest version of Terminologia Anatomica (1998) are summed up. It surveys examples of "not very appropriate" terms, which are frequently used in clinical literature. The authors consider the use of official anatomical terms (both Latin and English) as an important step for the improvement of the clinical expressions and formulations.

The goal of the study was to perform a detailed anatomical description of the retrocalcaneal bursa (RB). Its morphological arrangement was studied on 10 fresh and 30 embalmed lower extremities by microdissection and light microscopy. The RB was present constantly and in all the cases contained 1-2 cm long synovial fold, beginning on the upper wall of RB and distally interposed between the anterior surface of the Achilles tendon and the posterior surface of the calcaneal tuberosity. The volume of RB was 1-1.5 ml. The histological analysis confirmed that the inner surface of the superior and posterior wall of RB have been covered by unilayered synovial membrane, projecting into synovial villi of different shapes and sizes. In the ceiling of RB, delicate fascicle of skeletal muscle fibers was discovered, radiating distally into the regularly present synovial fold. The whole bottom of RB has been covered by 200-500 microm layer of fibrous cartilage into which the calcaneal tendon attached. The cartilagineous layer continued anteroproximally to cover the whole bursal surface of the calcaneal tuberosity, where the thickness of the cortical bone was reduced on mere 50 microm. The obtained results can be used in the improvement of the differential diagnostics and therapy of diagnostics and therapy of the retrocalcaneal bursitis as well as of other kinds of achillar enthesopathies and heel pain.

The anatomy and histology of the normal retrocalcaneal bursa (RB) was studied on both embalmed and fresh cadaverous material. The bursa is a constant structure, its upper and posterior walls are completely covered with the unilayered synovial membrane. Its anterior wall represents the superior facet of the calcaneal tuberosity, the posterior one corresponds to the anterior surface of the insertional part of the Achilles tendon. The superior wall is formed by the adipose tissue of the inferior part of Kager's triangle, extending into the cavity of the bursa in a form of constant large and irregularly shaped synovial fold. The normal anatomical features as well as some pathological changes of the bursa and its neighbourhood were demonstrated on examples of some case reports, by use of the ultrasonography and magnetic resonance investigations. In healthy individuals the space of the bursa was not figured in the ultrasonographic investigations, but was well apparent in the MR images. The pathological changes of the bursa are detectable by using of both methods, but the MR images present substantially precise quality of depiction. The authors recommend the use of presented new anatomical data for the improvement in differential diagnostic of the wide spectrum of achillar enthesopathies.

The paper contains introductory historic and nomenclature comments, survey of topography and basic morphological modifications of Achilles tendon including description of all m. triceps surae components. Morphology of the distal third and tendon insertion, bursa calcanea and arterial supply of both the tendon and its sheaths is described in detail. The paper is concluded by a brief survey of tendon ontogenesis. With respect to its general topic the paper provides morphological basis for topical clinical needs especially in sports medicine and orthopedics.