gastrocnemius

noun

gas·​troc·​ne·​mi·​us ˌga-(ˌ)sträk-ˈnē-mē-əs How to pronounce gastrocnemius (audio)
-strək-
plural gastrocnemii ˌga-(ˌ)sträk-ˈnē-mē-ˌī How to pronounce gastrocnemius (audio)
-strək-
: the largest and most superficial muscle of the calf of the leg arising by two heads from the condyles of the femur and attaching to a tendon that becomes part of the Achilles tendon

Examples of gastrocnemius in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Gastrocnemius Stretch The gastrocnemius muscle is one of the muscles of your calf. Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 8 Apr. 2023 Muscles stretched: gastrocnemius. Gerard Hartmann, Outside Online, 21 July 2021 Beneath your gastrocnemius and Achilles is the second calf muscle, the soleus, which runs from the outer side of the back of your knee down to your heel. Angela Gargano, Lauren Del Turco, Women's Health, 15 Mar. 2023 Lying Rotary Soleus Press Watch on The soleus is a broad, flat muscle under the perky gastrocnemius that is key in walking, running, balancing and jumping. Dr. Rachel Tavel, Pt, Dpt, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023 Muscles stretched: gastrocnemius, hamstrings. Gerard Hartmann, Outside Online, 21 July 2021 The main muscles supporting the ankle include the gastrocnemius and soleus, which are the hamstring muscles in the back of the calf, as well as the tibialis posterior (muscle on the inside the ankle) and tibialis anterior (muscle on the front of the ankle). Jenny McCoy, SELF, 24 Jan. 2022 Main Calf Muscles To Know Enter: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. Angela Gargano, Lauren Del Turco, Women's Health, 15 Mar. 2023 Squat Jumps play iconThe triangle icon that indicates to play The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are key muscles for propulsion and power. Dr. Rachel Tavel, Pt, Dpt, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gastrocnemius.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek gastroknēmē calf of the leg, from gastr- + knēmē shank — more at ham

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gastrocnemius was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near gastrocnemius

Cite this Entry

“Gastrocnemius.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gastrocnemius. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

gastrocnemius

noun
gas·​troc·​ne·​mi·​us ˌgas-(ˌ)träk-ˈnē-mē-əs How to pronounce gastrocnemius (audio)
-trək-
plural gastrocnemii -mē-ˌī How to pronounce gastrocnemius (audio)
: the largest muscle of the calf of the leg that points the toe and flexes the leg below the knee

Medical Definition

gastrocnemius

noun
gas·​troc·​ne·​mi·​us ˌgas-(ˌ)träk-ˈnē-mē-əs, -trək- How to pronounce gastrocnemius (audio)
plural gastrocnemii -mē-ˌī How to pronounce gastrocnemius (audio)
: the largest and most superficial muscle of the calf of the leg that arises by two heads from the condyles of the femur and has its tendon of insertion incorporated as part of the Achilles tendon

called also gastrocnemius muscle

gastrocnemial adjective
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