Muscle
Plantaris
Vestigial calf muscle
High-yield
Long thin tendon ("freshman's nerve"); weak plantarflexor; often absent. Tibial nerve.
Overview
A small muscle with a long slender tendon that weakly assists plantarflexion and knee flexion; often mistaken for a nerve.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Lateral supracondylar line of the femur
- Insertion
- Calcaneus (via a long thin tendon, medial to the Achilles)
- Action
- Weakly assists plantarflexion of the ankle and flexion of the knee
- Innervation
- Tibial nerve (S1, S2)
- Blood supply
- Sural arteries
Frequently asked questions
What does the plantaris do?
The plantaris weakly assists plantarflexion of the ankle and flexion of the knee.
What nerve innervates the plantaris?
The plantaris is innervated by the tibial nerve (S1, S2).
Where does the plantaris attach?
The plantaris originates from the lateral supracondylar line of the femur and inserts on the calcaneus (via a long thin tendon, medial to the Achilles).
What is the blood supply of the plantaris?
The plantaris is supplied by the sural arteries.