Kantapään

Kantapää is the Finnish term for the heel, the posterior part of the foot that bears much of the body's weight during standing and walking. The word is a compound of kant- (base, support) and pää (head), used metaphorically to describe the heel’s position at the base of the foot.

Anatomy and function: The heel is built around the calcaneus, the largest tarsal bone that forms the main weight-bearing structure of the hindfoot. A thick heel pad of fat cushions the bottom surface, while the plantar fascia runs along the sole from the heel to the toes to support the arch. The Achilles tendon attaches to the back of the calcaneus and enables push-off. Together, these structures absorb impact and provide leverage for standing, walking, and running.

Clinical aspects: Heel pain is a common complaint and can arise from several conditions. Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation and pain under the heel, especially with the first steps after rest. Achilles tendinopathy affects the posterior heel where the tendon attaches to the bone. A heel spur is a bony outgrowth on the underside of the calcaneus and may accompany other heel problems. Other issues include fat-pad atrophy, bursitis, or stress fractures, particularly in athletes or older adults.

Linguistic notes: In Finnish, kantapää is the standard term for the heel, with kantapään as the genitive form used to indicate possession (for example, kantapään kipu, “pain of the heel”). The term also appears in idiomatic and metaphorical expressions related to a weak point or foundation.

See also: Calcaneus, plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, foot anatomy.