Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
gastrocnemius muscle
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
Posterior anatomical illustration of the human lower limb showing muscles and tendons of the hip, thigh, and lower leg, with labels identifying structures such as the gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and major nerves. The Human Body Illustration of the human muscular system from a side view, showing detailed muscles throughout the body with labels identifying major muscles in the head, torso, arms, and legs. Anatomical illustration of a cat in side view with its trunk and limb muscles exposed and labeled, showing major muscle groups such as trapezius, latissimus dorsi, gluteus, and biceps femoris. Illustration of the human leg from the front showing major muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the thigh and lower leg, each labeled for anatomical reference. Posterior anatomical illustration of the human muscular system showing major back, arm, and leg muscles labeled, including trapezius, latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus, and gastrocnemius. diagram of rigid skeletons worked by muscles
Quick Facts
Also called:
leg triceps
Related Topics:
muscle
leg
triceps surae
See all related content
Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Muscles of the human hip, thigh, and lower leg
Muscles of the human hip, thigh, and lower leg Posterior view of the right leg, showing the muscles of the hip, thigh, and lower leg.

gastrocnemius muscle

anatomy
Also known as: leg tricep
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

gastrocnemius muscle, large posterior muscle of the calf of the leg. It originates at the back of the femur (thighbone) and patella (kneecap) and, joining the soleus (another muscle of the calf), is attached to the Achilles tendon at the heel. Action of the gastrocnemius pulls the heel up and thus extends the foot downward; the muscle provides the propelling force in running and jumping.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Michele Metych.