Calf (leg)
Calf (leg)
The calf (pronounced: /kaf/) is the fleshy part located at the back of a human's lower leg. The calf is made up of two muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. These muscles are responsible for the movement of the foot, playing a crucial role in walking, running, and jumping.
Etymology
The term "calf" comes from the Old English calf, which is akin to the Old Norse kalfr and the German Kalb, all meaning "calf". In the context of human anatomy, the term was first used to refer to the back of the leg in the 14th century.
Anatomy
The gastrocnemius is the larger, more superficial muscle that forms the bulge visible beneath the skin. The soleus is a smaller, flat muscle that lies underneath the gastrocnemius muscle.
The calf muscles contract to pull the heel up and allow forward movement during walking, running, or jumping. They also play a role in maintaining balance while standing.
Related Terms
- Achilles tendon: The tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.
- Shin: The front part of the lower leg.
- Thigh: The part of the leg above the knee.
- Ankle: The joint connecting the foot with the leg.
- Foot: The lower extremity of the leg below the ankle, on which a person stands or walks.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Calf (leg)
- Wikipedia's article - Calf (leg)
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