gastrocnemius muscle

gastrocnemius muscle

also called  leg triceps,  
 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.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Gastrocnemius muscle — Lateral aspect of right leg …   Wikipedia

  • gastrocnemius muscle — noun the muscle in the back part of the leg that forms the greater part of the calf; responsible for the plantar flexion of the foot • Syn: ↑gastrocnemius • Hypernyms: ↑skeletal muscle, ↑striated muscle • Part Holonyms: ↑calf, ↑sura …   Useful english dictionary

  • gastrocnemius muscle — musculus gastrocnemius …   Medical dictionary

  • gastrocnemius muscle lateral — caput laterale musculi gastrocnemii …   Medical dictionary

  • gastrocnemius muscle medial — caput mediale musculi gastrocnemii …   Medical dictionary

  • muscle — muscleless, adj. muscly, adj. /mus euhl/, n., v., muscled, muscling, adj. n. 1. a tissue composed of cells or fibers, the contraction of which produces movement in the body. 2. an organ, composed of muscle tissue, that contracts to produce a… …   Universalium

  • gastrocnemius — SYN: g. (muscle). [G. gastroknemia, calf of the leg, fr. gaster (gastr ), belly, + kneme, leg] * * * gas·troc·ne·mi·us .gas (.)träk nē mē əs, trək n, pl mii mē .ī the largest and most superficial muscle of the calf of the leg that arises by two… …   Medical dictionary

  • gastrocnemius — noun the muscle in the back part of the leg that forms the greater part of the calf; responsible for the plantar flexion of the foot (Freq. 4) • Syn: ↑gastrocnemius muscle • Hypernyms: ↑skeletal muscle, ↑striated muscle • Part Holonyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • gastrocnemius — [ˌgastrə(ʊ) kni:mɪəs] (also gastrocnemius muscle) noun (plural gastrocnemii mɪʌɪ) Anatomy the chief muscle of the calf of the leg, which flexes the knee and foot. Origin C17: mod. L., from Gk gastroknēmia calf of the leg , from gaster, gastr… …   English new terms dictionary

  • Muscle — is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. There are three types of muscle in the body. Muscle which is responsible for moving extremities and external areas of the body is called "skeletal muscle." Heart… …   Medical dictionary

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