Sports Medicine
Medicine > Anatomy & Physiology > Muscles > Calf
Calf Muscles
Description
The calf muscle group is made up of three muscles superficial in the posterior compartment of the lower leg, with gastrocnemius and soleus being the main ones.
- gastrocnemius
- soleus
- plantaris
There are other muscles deep in the posterior compartment of the lower leg: popliteus, flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, and the tibialis posterior.
Actions
The calf muscles act to plantar flex the ankle joint. In addition, the Gastrocnemius also acts to flex the knee when not weight bearing, and stabilizes the ankle and knee when standing. The plantaris muscle flexes and stabilizes the knee joint.
Stretches
Related Pages
- list of muscles of the human body
- list of stretches
