Does der Hacken really mean heel?

I have been doing medical German in module 11 and it has der Hacken as the heel. Neither the German online Biolingus dictionary nor the Collins online dictionary give this translation, however an old Collins dictionary that I have does include it.
A friend of mine who is German says that it is a very old fashioned word that isn't used anymore except sometimes in Bavaria. I wonder if it should be changed in the Rocket course?
 

For completeness the dictionary gives die Ferse, Fersen for the heel of a foot and der  Absatz,  Absätze or  Schuhabsatz, Schuhabsätze for the heel of a shoe.

'Die Ferse' and 'die Hacke' are common words to use for heel of your foot. Every native speaker knows 'Hacke' and I have used it no problem in North Germany.  Yes, 'der Absatz' is referring to the heel of your shoe. 

Regards

Paul

Thanks Paul
Section 11.6 Medical Vocabulary : gives heel as der Hacken which doesn't seem to be right.
The dictionaries agree that the heel can die Ferse or die Hacke, so maybe it could be changed in section 11.6 when the course is next revised.
 

You are right that is confusing. I had a look into the German Duden and both versions 'der Hacken' and 'die Hacke' were listed as synonym for 'die Ferse'.  

Also with a slight difference in pronunciation and spelling 'der Haken' means 'the hook'. I therefore prefer using 'die Hacke'. 

Regards

Paul



 

Thank you for the explanation Paul. The langenscheidt online dictionary also gives der Hacken as A synonym for die Hacke. I guess one good thing from this is I won't forget the german word for heel. :)