gastrocnemius
Lower leg bulge
The gastrocnemius is the large muscle forming the bulge of the calf, running from behind the knee to the heel via the Achilles tendon.
It enables standing on tiptoe, jumping, and pushing off while walking or running.
She strained her gastrocnemius during the sprint.
Lower leg flexor
- Achilles tendonCord linking calf to heel
- plantarisVestigial calf muscle
- tibiaMain lower leg bone
- fibulaOuter lower leg bone
knee joint · superficial · deep · insertion · origin · calcaneus · musculoskeletal · skeletal muscle
Upward ankle bend
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- push-offInitial propelling movement
- locomotionAbility to travel independently
- ambulationMovement by walking
bipedal · weight-bearing · concentric · eccentric · isometric · contraction · relaxation · power output
Swift foot travel
- jumpingPropelling oneself airborne
- sprintingMaximum-speed locomotion on foot
- walkingLocomotion on foot
- climbingAscending by physical effort
leaping · bounding · hopping · skipping · dancing · cycling · kicking · calf raise
Excessive stretching force
- tearTo pull apart
- ruptureViolent tearing apart
- tendinitisInflamed tissue joining muscle to bone
- calf painSoreness in lower leg
charley horse · deep vein thrombosis · compartment syndrome · muscle pull · rehabilitation · physical therapy · ultrasound · MRI
Contractile cells in tissue
- actinCellular contractile protein
- myosinMotor protein enabling contraction
- hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells
- atrophyWasting from disuse
fascicle · pennate · innervation · blood supply · oxygen uptake · fatigue · cramp · spasm
soleus
Lower leg flexor
- Achilles tendonCord linking calf to heel
- plantarisVestigial calf muscle
- tibiaMain lower leg bone
fibula · knee joint · superficial · deep · insertion · origin · calcaneus · musculoskeletal · skeletal muscle
dorsiflexion
Upward ankle bend
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- push-offInitial propelling movement
- locomotionAbility to travel independently
ambulation · bipedal · weight-bearing · concentric · eccentric · isometric · contraction · relaxation · power output
running
Swift foot travel
- jumpingPropelling oneself airborne
- sprintingMaximum-speed locomotion on foot
- walkingLocomotion on foot
climbing · leaping · bounding · hopping · skipping · dancing · cycling · kicking · calf raise · heel strike
strain
Excessive stretching force
- tearTo pull apart
- ruptureViolent tearing apart
- tendinitisInflamed tissue joining muscle to bone
calf pain · charley horse · deep vein thrombosis · compartment syndrome · muscle pull · rehabilitation · physical therapy · ultrasound · MRI · palpation
muscle fibers
Contractile cells in tissue
- actinCellular contractile protein
- myosinMotor protein enabling contraction
- hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells
atrophy · fascicle · pennate · innervation · blood supply · oxygen uptake · fatigue · cramp · spasm · contractility