Gastrocnemius Muscle
Musculus gastrocnemius is the Latin pronunciation for Gastrocnemius Muscle meaning Stomach of Leg. This muscle is responsible for giving a bulging shape to the Calf. It is a powerful superficial Bipennate Muscle (two rows of oblique muscle fibers converging on a tendon) that lies in the back part of the lower leg.
read moreSoleus Muscle Gastrocnemius Muscle Adductor Muscle Semitendinosus Muscle Biceps Femoris Muscle Iliotibial Tract Gluteus Medius Muscle Gluteus Maximus Muscle Peroneus Longus Muscle Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle Tibialis Anterior Muscle Pectineus Muscle Vastus Lateralis Muscle Vastus Medialis Muscle Rectus Femoris Muscle Sartorius Muscle Gracilis Muscle Adductor Longus Muscle
Gastrocnemius Muscle
ANATOMICAL POSITION
It is present with the Soleus (strong muscle of the calf) on the back side of the leg. This muscle has got two heads: a lateral one and a medial one. The lateral head of this muscle originates from the lateral condyle of Femur whereas the medial head originates from the medial condyle of Femur.
As for its insertion, the tendon of gastrocnemius joins with the tendon of Soleus Muscle forms a common tendon known as Calcaneal Tendon or Achilles tendon that inserts into the back surface of Calcaneus or Heel Bone.
NERVE AND BLOOD SUPPLY
This muscle gets its nerve supply from the branches of Tibial nerve. As far as the blood supply is concerned, this muscle gets its blood supply from Sural arteries.
FUNCTION
This muscle helps in several activities like standing, walking, running and jumping. Along with Soleus muscle it plays an important role in Plantar Flexion (movement increasing the 90 degree angle between front of foot and Tibia) of the foot at ankle joint and flexing the leg at knee joint.
DISEASES
Gastrocnemius muscle is susceptible to Spasms (sudden and involuntary contraction of muscle) that are quite painful and may last for few minutes.
An injured ankle may result in injury of this muscle known as Torn or Strained Calf Muscle that may result in inability to move this muscle.
It may become inflamed due to overuse for which Anti inflammatory medications and physical therapy like heat, massage and stretching might prove useful.
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