How to Identify the Soleus

The soleus is a powerful muscle in the back of the calf that runs from below the knee to the heel. It is used in standing and walking. The soleus shares the calcaneal tendon with the gastrocnemius and is therefore considered to be a single muscle called the triceps surae by some anatomists. The following steps will aid in your search for information about the soleus.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Read up on Latin roots to know that "soleus" means "sole fish." This muscle is generally shaped like a sole fish and is attached to the sole of the foot.

2. Examine the soleus to see that it plantar flexes the foot and assists in the return of venous blood from the lower leg. It also pulls constantly to prevent the body from falling forward while standing.

3. Observe how the soleus originates from the upper fourth of the posterior fibula and the soleal line and middle third of the posterior border of the tibia.

4. Look at the insertion of the soleus into the middle of the three facets on the posterior surface of the calcaneus through the medial portion of the calcaneal tendon.

5. Research the nervous system to know that the nerve for the soleus is the tibial nerve from the first and second sacral nerves. Study the circulatory system to know that the blood supply for the soleus is the sural branches of the popliteal artery, muscular branches of peroneal artery and the posterior tibial artery.

Resources

• Read a medical glossary.

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