Muscles / Lower legs
Triceps surae
- Lower legs
- Leg & ankle
- Superficial layer
Also called calf, calf muscles, Achilles tendon, calcaneal tendon.
Anatomy
- Origin
- Gastrocnemius from the femoral condyles; soleus from the tibia and fibula
- Insertion
- Posterior calcaneus via the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon
- Nerve
- Tibial nerve (S1-S2)
Actions
- Plantarflexes the ankle
- Gastrocnemius also flexes the knee
Exercises that train it most
Also trained by
Parts
Notes
- Achilles reflex tests mainly S1. Tendon loading is first-line care for midportion Achilles tendinopathy.
References (5)
- Chimenti RL, Neville C, Houck J, Cuddeford T, Carreira D, Martin RL. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2024;54(12):CPG1-CPG32. Achilles pain, stiffness, and muscle power deficits: midportion Achilles tendinopathy revision – 2024
- Standring S, ed. Elsevier. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed.
- Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
- Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
- Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, et al. OpenStax (free, openly licensed textbook). Anatomy and Physiology 2e