Written By: Chloe Wilson BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed By: FPE Medical Review Board
The gastrocnemius muscle is the largest and most superficial of the two calf muscles.
It forms part of a composite muscle known as the triceps surae with the soleus and plantaris muscles
Action: Plantarflexes the ankle joint (points toes downwards), flexes the knee
Origin: Medial and lateral femoral condyles, knee joint capsule and oblique popliteal ligament
Insertion: Posterior surface of the calcaneus via the tendocalcaneus (aka Achilles tendon)
Nerve Supply: Tibial Nerve (S1, S2)
AKA: Gastroc
Functional Activities: Standing on tip toes, provides the main propulsive force with walking, running and jumping
Gastrocnemius is the muscle that forms the main bulk of the calf region on the back of the lower leg. It is a bipennate muscle, meaning it has two rows of muscle fibres, facing in opposite directions with a central tendon, resembling a feather. The shape of gastrocnemius allows for greater power.
Gastrocnemius runs from just above the knee to the heel bone, thereby crossing two joints, so it acts on both the knee and ankle joint.
It has two heads which arise from the medial and lateral femoral condyles, just above the knee joint. The medial head arises from behind the medial supracondylar ridge and the adductor tubercle on the popliteal surface of the femur (thigh bone). The lateral head of gastrocnemius arises from the outer surface of the lateral femoral condyle, just above and behind the lateral epicondyle. Both heads also have an additional attachment from the knee joint capsule and from the oblique popliteal ligament.
A fleshy bulk of muscle fibres arise from each head of gastrocnemius and gradually come together (without blending), inserting into the posterior surface of a broad membranous tendon which fuses with the soleus tendon to form the upper part of the tendocalcaneus, more commonly referred to as the Achilles tendon. This broad tendon gradually narrows and becomes more rounded until it reaches approximately 4cm above the calcaneus (heel bone) where it expands again until it inserts to the middle part of the posterior surface of the calcaneus.
Together with the soleus and plantaris muscles, gastrocnemius forms a composite muscle known as the triceps surae, one of the most powerful groups of muscle in the body. The three muscles work together to plantarflex the ankle joint i.e. pull the foot downwards.
Gastrocnemius provides a majority of the propulsive force during running, walking and jumping. It is predominantly made up of type II fast twitch fibres (white muscle fibres) so is primarily involved in fast, powerful movements rather than more passive or stabilising control.
As the gastrocnemius muscle arises above the knee, it can also flex the knee joint. However if it works over both joints simultaneously, it cannot exert full power over both joints e.g. it has more strength to flex the ankle joint if the knee is straight rather than bent.
Common problems that arise in gastrocnemius include:
Weakness, tightness or damage to the gastrocnemius muscle can affect foot, ankle, knee, hip and back function so it is important to address any calf injuries as soon as possible.
Here are some other topics that may be of interest:
You can also find out all about the partner muscle of gastrocnemius, soleus, the deeper of the two calf muscles.
Page Last Updated: 10/05/22
Next Review Due: 10/05/24
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