Muscle
Soleus
Calf "peripheral heart"
High-yield
Postural plantarflexor (crosses only the ankle); "soleal pump" aids venous return. Tibial nerve.
Overview
A broad flat muscle deep to gastrocnemius that plantarflexes the ankle and, as a postural muscle, pumps venous blood back from the leg.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Posterior head/neck of the fibula and soleal line of the tibia
- Insertion
- Calcaneus via the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon
- Action
- Plantarflexes the ankle; stabilises the leg over the foot in standing
- Innervation
- Tibial nerve (S1, S2)
- Blood supply
- Posterior tibial / fibular arteries
Frequently asked questions
What does the soleus do?
The soleus plantarflexes the ankle; stabilises the leg over the foot in standing.
What nerve innervates the soleus?
The soleus is innervated by the tibial nerve (S1, S2).
Where does the soleus attach?
The soleus originates from the posterior head/neck of the fibula and soleal line of the tibia and inserts on the calcaneus via the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon.
What is the blood supply of the soleus?
The soleus is supplied by the posterior tibial / fibular arteries.