Also called: calf muscle
The gastrocnemius is the superficial two-headed calf muscle. Its heads arise from the medial and lateral femoral condyles and join the soleus in the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon, which inserts on the calcaneus. The tibial nerve supplies it, and it plantarflexes the ankle and helps flex the knee.
| Origin | Medial head: medial condyle of the femur. Lateral head: lateral condyle of the femur. |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Posterior surface of the calcaneus via the calcaneal tendon. |
| Innervation | Tibial nerve (S1-S2). |
| Blood supply | Sural arteries from the popliteal artery. |
| Action | Plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the knee; the muscle is most effective with the knee extended. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
The two heads form the lower border of the popliteal fossa. The gastrocnemius and soleus together are called the triceps surae.
It arises from the femoral condyles and inserts on the calcaneus through the Achilles tendon.
The combination of the gastrocnemius and the soleus.
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