APPLIED RADIOLOGICAL ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Function. The gastrocnemius with the soleus, is the main plantarflexor of the ankle joint. The muscle is also a powerful knee flexor. It is not able to exert full power at both joints simultaneously, for example when the knee is flexed, gastrocnemius is unable to generate as much force at the ankle.

Detailed explanation-2: -Plantaris: This long, thin muscle runs along the back of the leg, from the end of the thighbone down to the Achilles tendon. The plantaris muscle works in conjunction with the Achilles tendon to flex your ankle and knee. You use this muscle every time you stand on your tiptoes.

Detailed explanation-3: -The gastrocnemius calf muscle is the most superficial of the calf muscles. It inserts onto the heel bone via the Achilles tendon. The gastrocnemius muscle flexes the foot at the ankle joint-that is it acts to point the foot downwards by bending it at the ankle joint, such as when you stand on your toes.

Detailed explanation-4: -Deep to gastrocnemius are the soleus, popliteus and plantaris muscles, the popliteal vessels and the tibial nerve. The deep flexor muscles, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus and tibialis posterior, also lie deep to gastrocnemius.