Calf muscle

Calf muscle

Infobox Muscle
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = sura
GraySubject = 129
GrayPage = 482


Caption = Side view of leg musculature.


Caption2 = Human calf
Origin =
Insertion =
Blood = posterior tibial artery
Nerve = tibial nerve
Action = plantarflexion
Antagonist =
DorlandsPre = s_29
DorlandsSuf = 12772656
The calf or gastroc-soleus is a pair of muscles—the gastrocnemius and soleus—at the back of the lower human leg.

The gastroc-soleus complex is connected to the foot through the Achilles tendon, and contract to induce plantar flexion and stabilization of the ankle complex in the transverse plane.

Function

Functional activities include primarily movement in the sagittal plane, stabilization during locomotion (walking, running) and power jumping.

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 – you may think you've just been hit in the leg and hear a "pop." Sudden pain is felt around the leg.

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 not to continue the exercise if muscle is torn as internal bleeding is taking place. See a doctor immediately after muscle is torn to get you on a rehabilitation routine.

ee also

*Triceps surae

External links

*


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Muscle contraction — See also: Twitch and Tremor Top down view of skeletal muscle Muscle fiber generates tension through the action of actin and myosin cross bridge cycling. While under tension, the muscle may lengthen, shorten, or …   Wikipedia

  • Muscle — is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. There are three types of muscle in the body. Muscle which is responsible for moving extremities and external areas of the body is called "skeletal muscle." Heart… …   Medical dictionary

  • Calf raises — is an exercise in weight training. This exercise primarily works the muscles of the lower leg otherwise known as the calf. The muscles of the calf are called the gastrocnemius and soleus, making up the upper and lower calf muscles. Calf raises… …   Wikipedia

  • Calf — For the back of the leg, see Calf (anatomy). For other uses, see Calf (disambiguation). A calf in the New Forest, England Calves (   …   Wikipedia

  • muscle disease — ▪ pathology Introduction       any of the diseases and disorders that affect the human muscle system (muscle system, human). Diseases and disorders that result from direct abnormalities of the muscles are called primary muscle diseases; those… …   Universalium

  • muscle system, human — Introduction   the muscles of the human body that work the skeletal system (skeletal system, human), that are under voluntary control, and that are concerned with movement, posture, and balance. Broadly considered, human muscle like the muscles… …   Universalium

  • Calf — The belly or fleshy hind part of the leg below the knee. The calf is made up mainly of the gastrocnemius muscle (which comes from the Greek gastroknemia meaning calf of the leg, from gaster (gastr ), belly, + kneme, leg). The word calf comes… …   Medical dictionary

  • muscle — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ hard, powerful, strong ▪ taut, tense, tight ▪ relaxed ▪ smooth …   Collocations dictionary

  • muscle —    I o, i o huki, olonā, oloolonā, makela; a a (small); kāhā po ohiwi (on shoulder blade); lolokū (on back of head); uala (of upper arm); ulu (in calf of leg) …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

  • Gastrocnemius muscle — Lateral aspect of right leg …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”