gastrocnemius

gastrocnemius /gas·troc·ne·mi·us/ (gas″tro-ne´me-әs) (gas″trok-ne´me-us) see under muscle.

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gas·troc·ne·mi·us (gstrk-nm-s, gstr-)

n. pl. gas·troc·ne·mi·i (-m-)

A muscle with its origin from the lateral and medial condyles of the femur, with insertion with the soleus muscle by the Achilles tendon into the lower half of the posterior surface of the calcaneus, with nerve supply from the tibial nerve, and whose action causes plantar flexion of the foot.

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gastrocnemius

[gas′trōnē′me·us]

Etymology: Gk, gastroknemia, calf of the leg

the most superficial calf muscle in the posterior part of the leg. It joins the tendon of the soleus as part of the tendo calcaneus. It flexes the leg and plantarflexes the foot. Compare plantaris, soleus.