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Gastrocnemius muscle
The gastrocnemius muscle (plural gastrocnemii) is a superficial two-headed muscle. It is located superficial to the soleus in the posterior (back) compartment of the leg. It runs from its two heads just above the knee to the heel, extending across a total of three joints (knee, ankle and subtalar joints).
The muscle is named via Latin, from Greek γαστήρ (gaster) 'belly' or 'stomach' and κνήμη (knḗmē) 'leg', meaning 'stomach of the leg' (referring to the bulging shape of the calf).
The lateral head originates from the lateral condyle of the femur, while the medial head originates from the medial condyle of the femur.
Its other end forms a common tendon with the soleus muscle; this tendon is known as the calcaneal tendon or Achilles tendon and inserts onto the posterior surface of the calcaneus, or heel bone.
The gastrocnemius is located posterior to (superficial to it) soleus in the posterior compartment of leg. It is considered a superficial muscle as it is located directly under skin, and its shape may often be visualized through the skin.
Beneath the gastrocnemius (farther from the skin) is the soleus muscle. Some anatomists consider both to be a single muscle—the triceps surae or "three-headed muscle of the calf"—since they share a common insertion via the Achilles tendon. The plantaris muscle and a portion of its tendon run between the two muscles, which is involved in "locking" the knee from the standing position. Since the anterior compartment of the leg is lateral to the tibia, the bulge of muscle medial to the tibia on the anterior side is actually the posterior compartment. The soleus is superficial to the mid-shaft of the tibia.
The third head of gastrocnemius muscle, also known as gastrocnemius tertius, is found in around 10% of the population. Thirty-nine percent of individuals have a sesamoid bone called the fabella in the lateral (outer) head of the gastrocnemius muscle.
Along with the soleus muscle, the gastrocnemius forms half of the calf muscle. Its function is plantar flexing the foot at the ankle joint and flexing the leg at the knee joint.
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Gastrocnemius muscle
The gastrocnemius muscle (plural gastrocnemii) is a superficial two-headed muscle. It is located superficial to the soleus in the posterior (back) compartment of the leg. It runs from its two heads just above the knee to the heel, extending across a total of three joints (knee, ankle and subtalar joints).
The muscle is named via Latin, from Greek γαστήρ (gaster) 'belly' or 'stomach' and κνήμη (knḗmē) 'leg', meaning 'stomach of the leg' (referring to the bulging shape of the calf).
The lateral head originates from the lateral condyle of the femur, while the medial head originates from the medial condyle of the femur.
Its other end forms a common tendon with the soleus muscle; this tendon is known as the calcaneal tendon or Achilles tendon and inserts onto the posterior surface of the calcaneus, or heel bone.
The gastrocnemius is located posterior to (superficial to it) soleus in the posterior compartment of leg. It is considered a superficial muscle as it is located directly under skin, and its shape may often be visualized through the skin.
Beneath the gastrocnemius (farther from the skin) is the soleus muscle. Some anatomists consider both to be a single muscle—the triceps surae or "three-headed muscle of the calf"—since they share a common insertion via the Achilles tendon. The plantaris muscle and a portion of its tendon run between the two muscles, which is involved in "locking" the knee from the standing position. Since the anterior compartment of the leg is lateral to the tibia, the bulge of muscle medial to the tibia on the anterior side is actually the posterior compartment. The soleus is superficial to the mid-shaft of the tibia.
The third head of gastrocnemius muscle, also known as gastrocnemius tertius, is found in around 10% of the population. Thirty-nine percent of individuals have a sesamoid bone called the fabella in the lateral (outer) head of the gastrocnemius muscle.
Along with the soleus muscle, the gastrocnemius forms half of the calf muscle. Its function is plantar flexing the foot at the ankle joint and flexing the leg at the knee joint.