I replaced head gaskets on a 1990 Mercury Sable.

I replaced head gaskets on a 1990 Mercury Sable 3.8L V6. The repair manual states the following:
"For each valve, rotate the crankshaft until the valve lifter rests on the heel (base circle) of the camshaft lobe". Does the reference to the heel or base circle refer to the tallest pint on the cam for each valve? Also, is the valve lifter referring to the piece that the push rod sits int he center of? Thanks.