Triceps Surae
Original Editor - Shejza Mino
Top Contributors - Shejza Mino, Kim Jackson and Lucinda hampton
Introduction[edit | edit source]
The triceps surae is a term applied to a muscular that is constructed by the soleus, the two-headed (medial & lateral) gastrocnemius and the plantaris muscles[1]. The soleus muscle and both heads of the gastrocnemius muscle, fuse to form the achilles tendon (also known as the calcaneal tendon), whereas the plantaris muscle has an independent attachment[2]. Research suggests that contracture of the triceps surae is correlated with various conditions that affect the forefoot and midfoot, therefore lengthening of these muscles is valuable in resolving foot conditions [2].
Structure[edit | edit source]
The triceps surae occupies the posterosuperficial compartment of the leg[1].
It consists of a total of three heads, two from the gastrocnemius muscle and one from the soleus muscle, all inserting into the calcaneus (heel bone of the foot) through the achilles tendon.
Gastrocnemius (superficial portion of the triceps surae):
- Origin - femoral condyles, specifically:
- Lateral head: Lateral condyle of the femur
- Medial head: Medial condyle of the femur
Soleus (deep to the gastrocnemius):
- Origin - posterior aspect of the fibular head, soleal line on the medial border of the tibia
Plantaris
The triceps surae is innervated by the tibial nerve, nerve roots S1, S2[1].
Function[edit | edit source]
The triceps surae forms the achilles tendon distally, and is responsible for producing the majority of ankle dorsiflexion (up to 93%) in the sagittal plane, while stabilizing the ankle complex in the transverse plane[1].
Movement performed in the sagittal plane, stabilization during locomotion (walking, running), restraining the body from falling and power jumping are all functional activities of the triceps surae [3]
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Calf Strain[edit | edit source]
A calf strain implies damage to either the muscle belly itself or to its tendons at the site of attachment
Resources[edit | edit source]
- bulleted list
- x
or
- numbered list
- x
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Keith LM, Arthur FD, Anne MR. Clinically oriented anatomy. Clinically oriented anatomy. 2006.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dalmau-Pastor M, Fargues-Polo B, Casanova-Martínez D, Vega J, Golanó P. Anatomy of the triceps surae: a pictorial essay. Foot and ankle clinics. 2014 Dec 1;19(4):603-35.
- ↑ Honeine JL, Schieppati M, Gagey O, Do MC. The functional role of the triceps surae muscle during human locomotion. PloS one. 2013 Jan 16;8(1):e52943.
