Muscle Name: Calves

Medical Name:

• Gastrocnemius
• Soleus

Other Names:

• Calf Muscles

Gastrocnemius

Movement:

• Plantarflexion of the ankle
  • Pointing the toes downward
• Flexion of the knee
  • Bending the leg

Attachment:

• Origin:
  • Medial Head: Medial condyle of the femur
  • Lateral Head: Lateral condyle of the femur
• Insertion:
  • Posterior surface of the calcaneus via the Achilles tendon

Soleus

Movement:

• Plantarflexion of the ankle
  • Pointing the toes downward

Attachment:

• Origin:
  • Posterior surface of the proximal tibia and fibula
  • Soleal line of the tibia
• Insertion:
  • Posterior surface of the calcaneus via the Achilles tendon

Plantaris (Anatomical Variant, Sometimes Considered Part of the Calf)

Movement:

• Assists in plantarflexion of the ankle
  • Pointing the toes downward
• Assists in flexion of the knee
  • Bending the leg

Attachment:

• Origin:
  • Lateral supracondylar line of the femur
• Insertion:
  • Posterior surface of the calcaneus via a long tendon (sometimes merges with the Achilles tendon)

Related Muscles:

• Tibialis Anterior
• Peroneus (Fibularis) Longus and Brevis
• Flexor Digitorum Longus
• Flexor Hallucis Longus

EXERCISES

COMMUNITY