Plantaris Muscle

Description

Bicipital origin and the course of the plantaris muscle. Posterior view of the lower right leg. (B) Schematic drawing of plantaris muscle/tendon unit. AT, Achilles tendon (cut); iPM, inferior plantaris muscle; iPT, inferior plantaris tendon; lGM, lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle (cut); mGM, medial head of gastrocnemius muscle (cut); SM, soleus muscle (cut); sPM, superior plantaris muscle; sPT, superior plantaris tendon.

Name

• Plantaris
• Freshman's nerve
• Fool's nerve
• Plantaris tendon
• Plantaris muscle–tendon unit
• Accessory calf muscle
• Vestigial calf muscle

General

• From origin, small muscle belly is 5-10 cm before it becomes a long thin tendon
• Some anatomists propose it to be vestigial with no function role
• It can be found within the Superficial Posterior Compartment of the Leg

Origin

• Femur (lateral supracondylar line)
• Oblique popliteal ligament

Insertion

• Calcaneus (posterior surface)

Actions

• Plantarflexion
• Flexion of the knee

Vascular Supply

• Lateral Sural Artery
• Popliteal Artery
• Superior Lateral Genicular Artery

Innervation

• Tibial Nerve

---

Clinical Significance

• Tennis Leg (Calf Strain or Tear)

---

See Also

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

---