where is the gastrocnemius? course hero

What is the function of the gastrocnemius?

Gastrocnemius is a weak flexor of the knee joint and main plantar flexors along with soleus. The fleshy bellies of gastrocnemius provide rapid contraction necessary for propulsion during running, fast walk and jumping.

What are the two heads of the gastrocnemius?

The two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle form the inferior medial and lateral boundaries of the popliteal fossa in the upper part of the posterior leg. Almost the entire superficial surface of the muscle is covered by deep fascia over which lies the short saphenous vein.

What is the origin and insertion of the gastrocnemius?

Origins & Insertions. The gastrocnemius muscle crosses the knee joint, and hence is also a weak flexor of the knee. The two heads of the muscle join into a broad aponeurosis, and will unite with the tendon of the soleus muscle, and insert onto the posterior surface of the calcaneus as the Achilles tendon.

What muscles are deep to the gastrocnemius?

Deep to gastrocnemius are the soleus, popliteus and plantaris muscles, the popliteal vessels and the tibial nerve. The deep flexor muscles, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus and tibialis posterior, also lie deep to gastrocnemius.

Where is the gastrocnemius is located?

lower legGastrocnemius: This muscle is just under your skin at the back of the lower leg. Because the gastrocnemius is close to the skin's surface, you can often see its outline. It forms the bulk of your calf muscle.

Where is the gastrocnemius located and what does it do?

The gastrocnemius muscle is a complex muscle that is fundamental for walking and posture. Gastrocnemius forms the major bulk at the back of lower leg and is a very powerful muscle. It is a two joint or biarticular muscle and has two heads and runs from back of knee to the heel.

What muscle is located under the gastrocnemius?

soleusThe soleus is a smaller, flat muscle that lies underneath the gastrocnemius muscle.

What is the gastrocnemius insertion?

Attachments of Gastrocnemius Muscle: Origin & Insertion Medial head: medial condyle of femur and area just above condyle. b. Lateral head: lateral condyle of femur and area just above condyle. Insertion: (distal attachments): Posterior calcaneus via calcaneal tendon.

What is the action of the gastrocnemius muscle quizlet?

What is the action of the gastrocnemius muscle? Plantarflexion, slight inversion of the foot, and flexion of the knee.

Why is the gastrocnemius important?

The gastrocnemius muscle is an important mover of your lower leg and is responsible for normal walking and running actions. The gastrocnemius joins the soleus to form the Achilles tendon, the large tendon that attaches to your heel bone.

Where is the origin of the gastrocnemius?

gastrocnemius muscle, also called leg triceps, large posterior muscle of the calf of the leg. It originates at the back of the femur (thighbone) and patella (kneecap) and, joining the soleus (another muscle of the calf), is attached to the Achilles tendon at the heel.

What is the muscle below the knee?

Calf Muscles Just below the knee on the back of the shin are the calf muscles, soleus and gastrocnemius.

What are the three calf muscles?

The “calf muscle” or triceps surae consists of three separate muscles (the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris) whose aponeuroses unite to form the Achilles tendon.

Why is it called gastrocnemius?

It takes its name from the Greek words γαστήρ (gaster) meaning stomach or belly, and κνήμη (kneme) meaning leg; the combination of the two words means the “belly of the leg” or in other words the bulk of the calf.

Which is an action of the gastrocnemius?

Action of the gastrocnemius pulls the heel up and thus extends the foot downward; the muscle provides the propelling force in running and jumping.

Does the gastrocnemius extend the knee?

the Gastrocnemius are a powerful knee extensor!

What muscle is used to extend the leg?

quadriceps femoris muscle groupThe quadriceps femoris muscle group (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medius, and vastus intermedius) crosses the knee via the patella and acts to extend the leg.

Does the gastrocnemius flex the knee?

Abstract. The gastrocnemius is a biarticular muscle that acts not only as a plantar flexor, but also as a knee flexor, meaning that it is an antagonist during knee extension.

What is the function of gastrocnemius?

Functions. The gastrocnemius is a powerful plantar flexor of the foot at the talocrural joint. It also flexes the leg at the knee. The actions of gastrocnemius are usually considered along with soleus, as the triceps surae group. They are the chief plantar flexors of the foot.

What is the gastrocnemius muscle?

In conjunction with the soleus muscle, it is a component of a composite, three-headed group of muscles referred to as triceps surae. Together, they act in many basic activities, such as walking, running and leaping. This article will outline the morphology of the gastrocnemius muscle, as well as its functional and clinical anatomy .

What is the most superficial muscle in the leg?

Posteriorly, is the most superficial of the muscles of the leg, and forms the bulk of the calf. It takes its name from the Greek words γαστήρ (gaster) meaning stomach or belly, and κνήμη (kneme) meaning leg; the combination of the two words means the “belly of the leg” or in other words the bulk of the calf.

Where does Gastrocnemius originate?

Origin. Gastrocnemius originates as two heads from the femur. The medial head originates from the popliteal surface of the femoral shaft, and the posterior surface of the medial condyle.

Which nerves carry the gastrocnemius?

The gastrocnemius is innervated by the ventral rami of S1 and S2 spinal nerves, carried by the tibial nerve into the posterior compartment of the leg. Both medial and lateral heads of gastrocnemius are supplied by the lateral and medial sural arteries, which are direct branches of the popliteal artery.

Where is the Gastrocnemius muscle located?

Gastrocnemius muscle. Gastrocnemius is a large muscle located in the posterior leg. Posteriorly, is the most superficial of the muscles of the leg, and forms the bulk of the calf. It takes its name from the Greek words γαστήρ (gaster) meaning stomach or belly, and κνήμη (kneme) meaning leg; the combination of the two words means the “belly ...

Which nerve runs along the superficial surface of the muscle?

The small saphenous vein and accompanying sural nerve  run along the superficial surface of the muscle, separated from it by the deep fascia. The common fibular nerve crosses the lateral head of the muscle, between it and biceps femoris. Deep to gastrocnemius are the soleus, popliteus and plantaris muscles, the popliteal vessels and the tibial nerve. The deep flexor muscles, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus and tibialis posterior, also lie deep to gastrocnemius.