Gastrocnemius

Description

• Origin
  • Lateral head: Femur (lateral condyle)
  • Medial head: Femur (medial condyle and popliteal surface)
• Insertion
  • Coalesces with the distal Soleus to form the Achilles Tendon inserting onto the Calcaneus (posterior surface)
• General
  • Two heads have considerable muscle bulk
  • Separated by an intramuscular septum
  • Contains both slow and fast twitch fibers
  • Sometimes referred to as the 'Triceps Surae' in conjunction with the Soleus

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Actions

• Plantar flexion
• Flexion of the knee

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Vascular Supply

• Sural Arteries

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Nerve

• Tibial Nerve (S1-S2)

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Clinical Significance

• Tennis Leg (Calf Strain or Tear)
• Achilles Tendon Tendonitis
• Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Calcaneal Bursitis

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See Also

• Physical Exam Thigh
• Thigh Anatomy (Main)
• Thigh Pain (Main)

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