Gastrocnemius muscle

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Musculus gastrocnemius)

Gastrocnemius muscle is one of the major muscles located in the calf region of the human body. It is a powerful muscle that plays a crucial role in walking, running, and jumping.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The gastrocnemius muscle is a part of the superficial posterior compartment of the leg. It originates from the femur and inserts into the calcaneus via the Achilles tendon. It is a two-headed muscle, with the medial head originating from the medial condyle of the femur and the lateral head originating from the lateral condyle of the femur.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of the gastrocnemius muscle is plantar flexion of the foot at the ankle and flexion at the knee. This muscle is particularly active during activities that require propelling the body forward, such as walking, running, and jumping.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Injury to the gastrocnemius muscle can result in a calf strain, which is a common sports injury. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. Treatment typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). In severe cases, surgery may be required.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Gastrocnemius muscle Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD