The heel pad.
In an attempt to gain insight into the etiology of heel pain, the heel pad was studied via dissection. The dynamic action of the heel pad as well as varying stimuli interpreted as pain were examined in view of their integral relationship to body functions. It is believed that the major role played by the heel pad has to do with pressure, and the larger number of nerve endings present to respond to pressure suggests that these are also the nerve endings responsible for the sensation of pain.
D006365:Heel / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D012420:Running