Gastrocnemius muscle
Gastrocnemius Muscle
The Gastrocnemius muscle (pronunciation: gas-troh-knee-me-us) is a large muscle located in the posterior part of the lower leg, commonly known as the calf. It is one of the two major muscles that make up the calf, the other being the soleus.
Etymology
The term "gastrocnemius" is derived from the Greek words "gaster" meaning belly and "kneme" meaning leg, referring to the bulging shape of the calf when the muscle is contracted.
Anatomy
The gastrocnemius muscle originates from two heads attached to the femur, specifically the lateral and medial condyles. It extends downwards and merges with the soleus muscle to form the Achilles tendon, which attaches to the calcaneus or heel bone.
Function
The primary function of the gastrocnemius muscle is to facilitate leg movement. It is responsible for plantar flexion of the foot (pointing the toes downward) and flexion of the knee. This muscle plays a crucial role in activities such as walking, running, and jumping.
Related Terms
- Soleus: The other major muscle in the calf, which works alongside the gastrocnemius.
- Achilles Tendon: The tendon that the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles form together.
- Plantar Flexion: The action of pointing the foot or toes downward, a movement facilitated by the gastrocnemius.
- Femur: The thigh bone, from which the gastrocnemius muscle originates.
- Calcaneus: The heel bone, to which the Achilles tendon attaches.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gastrocnemius muscle
- Wikipedia's article - Gastrocnemius muscle
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