Gastrocnemius muscle

Last revised by Maulik S Patel on 6 Feb 2022

The gastrocnemius muscle is one of the calf muscles (triceps surae) in the superficial posterior compartment of the leg which sits superficial to the much larger soleus muscle. It gives the calf its distinctive two-headed appearance and is a primary plantar flexor.

Its medial border of the lateral head and its lateral border of the medial head forms the inferolateral and inferomedial borders of the popliteal fossa respectively.

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