Muscle
Gastrocnemius
Superficial calf, crosses the knee
High-yield
Crosses both knee and ankle; fast propulsive plantarflexion. Tibial nerve. Forms the triceps surae with soleus.
Overview
The prominent two-headed superficial calf muscle that plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the knee, providing propulsion in jumping and sprinting.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Lateral and medial condyles of the femur
- Insertion
- Calcaneus via the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon
- Action
- Plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the knee
- Innervation
- Tibial nerve (S1, S2)
- Blood supply
- Sural arteries (from the popliteal artery)
Frequently asked questions
What does the gastrocnemius do?
The gastrocnemius plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the knee.
What nerve innervates the gastrocnemius?
The gastrocnemius is innervated by the tibial nerve (S1, S2).
Where does the gastrocnemius attach?
The gastrocnemius originates from the lateral and medial condyles of the femur and inserts on the calcaneus via the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon.
What is the blood supply of the gastrocnemius?
The gastrocnemius is supplied by the sural arteries (from the popliteal artery).