gastrocnemius
calf muscle in back of lower leg that flexes the sole of the foot
The gastrocnemius is a muscle located in the lower leg, specifically the calf. It is one of the largest and most visible muscles in the body and is responsible for plantar flexion of the foot (pointing the toes down towards the ground) and also helps in knee flexion (bending the knee).
The gastrocnemius has two heads, the medial head and lateral head, both of which originate from the femur bone above the knee joint. The two heads then merge to form a thick muscle belly that tapers down and attaches to the Achilles tendon, which in turn attaches to the heel bone.
The gastrocnemius muscle is important in many activities that involve standing, walking, and running. It is also a highly trained muscle in many sports such as basketball, baseball, and track and field. Weakness or injury to the muscle can cause calf pain, difficulty in walking, and limitations in physical activity.
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