Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The gastrocnemius muscle is superficial to (closer to the skin than) the soleus, which lies below the gastrocnemius. The plantaris muscle and a portion of its tendon run between the two muscles. Deep to it (further from the skin) is the transverse intermuscular septum , which separates the superficial posterior compartment of the leg from the ...
The gastrocnemius is located with the soleus in the posterior compartment of leg. It is considered a superficial muscle as it is located directly under skin, and its shape may often be visualized through the skin. Beneath the gastrocnemius (farther from the skin) is the soleus muscle.
The soleus muscle is composed of "red" muscle which was revealed to indicate that muscle fibers were fatigue-resistant but created small forces when contracting. The gastrocnemius muscle is heterogeneous, composed of both "red" and "pale" muscle, and thus containing fast-twitch high force fibers.
The superficial portion (the gastrocnemius) gives off two heads attaching to the base of the femur directly above the knee. The deep (profundus) mass of muscle (the soleus) forms the remaining head which attaches to the superior posterior area of the tibia. The triceps surae is innervated by the tibial nerve, specifically, nerve roots L5–S2.
Acting via the Achilles tendon, the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles cause plantar flexion of the foot at the ankle. This action brings the sole of the foot closer to the back of the leg. The gastrocnemius also flexes the leg at the knee. Both muscles are innervated by the tibial nerve. [14]
The gastrocnemius is made up of fast-twitch muscle fibres, which benefit more from heavy loads and low reps on the standing calf raise, while the soleus is a slow-twitch muscle and benefits from higher reps and lower loads on the seated calf raise. [3] [4]
A common injury that is normally attributed to the plantaris muscle is a condition called tennis leg. Although pain in the calf can be attributed to a rupture of the plantaris muscle, recent ultrasound research has shown that tennis leg more commonly arises from tears in the musculotendinous junction of the medial gastrocnemius. In one clinical ...
The increased duration of dorsiflexion leads to lengthening of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle-tendon units and the length of the moment arm of the Achilles tendon. [19] [20] A similar post-operative exercise effect involving increased dorsiflexion is often desired after surgeries involving the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles or Achilles ...