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Triceps surae
Muscles of lower extremity
Human calf
Latin	musculus triceps surae
Gray's	subject #129 482
Origin
Insertion	achilles tendon, calcaneus
Artery	posterior tibial artery
Nerve	tibial nerve
Actions	plantarflexion
Dorlands /Elsevier	triceps surae muscle

The triceps surae is a pair of muscles located at the calf - the gastrocnemius and the soleus. These muscles both insert into the calcaneus, the bone of the heel of the human foot, and form the major part of the muscle of the back part of the lower leg, commonly known as the calf muscle.

The triceps surae is connected to the foot through the Achilles tendon, and has 3 heads deriving from the 2 major masses of muscle.

• The superficial portion (the gastrocnemius) gives off 2 heads attaching to the base of the femur directly above the knee.
• The deep (profundis) mass of muscle (the soleus) forms the remaining head which attaches to the superior posterior area of the tibia.

The triceps surae is innervated by the tibial nerve, specifically, nerve roots L5–S2.

Contents 1 Function 2 Calf strain (torn calf muscle) 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Function

Contraction of the triceps surae induce plantar flexion and stabilization of the ankle complex in the transverse plane. Functional activities include primarily movement in the sagittal plane, stabilization during locomotion (walking, running) and power jumping.

[edit] Calf strain (torn calf muscle)

A torn calf muscle happens when the calf muscle is pulled apart from the Achilles tendon. Severe pain is felt by the victim accompanied by a "pop."

This injury happens during acceleration or changes in direction. The torn calf muscle may spasm, and contract forcefully. The toes will point down. Bruises can show up in the leg, foot and ankle due to pooling of blood from internal bleeding. It may take some time for the bruises to occur, from hours to days depending upon where the tear occurred. The circumference of the leg will most certainly increase.

This injury may take several months to heal. Its important to not continue the exercise if muscle is torn as internal bleeding is taking place. See a doctor immediately after the muscle is torn to get on a rehabilitation routine.

[edit] See also

• Gastrocnemius muscle
• Soleus muscle

[edit] External links

• triceps surae muscle at eMedicine Dictionary

v • d • e List of muscles of lower limbs (TA A04.7, GA 4.465) ILIAC Region / ILIOPSOAS psoas major/psoas minor · iliacus BUTTOCKS gluteals: (maximus, medius, minimus) · tensor fasciae latae lateral rotator group: quadratus femoris · inferior gemellus · obturator internus · superior gemellus · piriformis THIGH / compartments Anterior sartorius · quadriceps (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis) · articularis genu Posterior/hamstring biceps femoris · semitendinosus · semimembranosus Medial pectineus · obturator externus · gracilis · adductor (longus, brevis, magnus) Fascia Femoral sheath (Femoral canal) · Femoral ring Adductor canal · Adductor hiatus fascia lata (Iliotibial tract, Lateral intermuscular septum of thigh, Medial intermuscular septum of thigh, Fascia cribrosa/Saphenous opening) LEG/ Crus/ compartments Anterior tibialis anterior · extensor hallucis longus · extensor digitorum longus · peroneus tertius Posterior superficial · triceps surae (gastrocnemius, soleus, Achilles tendon) · plantaris deep · tarsal tunnel (flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, tibialis posterior) · popliteus Lateral peroneus muscles (longus, brevis) Fascia Pes anserinus crural fascia (Anterior crural intermuscular septum, Posterior crural intermuscular septum, Transverse intermuscular septum) FOOT Dorsal extensor hallucis brevis · extensor digitorum brevis Plantar 1st layer (abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, abductor digiti minimi) · 2nd layer (quadratus plantae, lumbrical muscle) · 3rd layer (flexor hallucis brevis, adductor hallucis, flexor digiti minimi brevis) · 4th layer (dorsal interossei, plantar interossei) Fascia Plantar fascia retinacula (Peroneal, Inferior extensor, Superior extensor, Flexor)