anatomy/calves·Muscle
Calves
Musculus triceps surae
The calf, made of gastrocnemius and soleus. It lifts the heel with every step, sprint and jump.
// Structure & location
The calf consists of the two-headed gastrocnemius, which gives it its visible shape, and the flat, powerful soleus underneath. The gastrocnemius arises above the knee, the soleus below it. Both merge into the Achilles tendon, which inserts on the heel bone.
// Function
According to OpenStax, the posterior muscles of the lower leg point the foot (plantar flexion), lifting the heel. They push off the ground in walking, running and jumping. The gastrocnemius also bends the knee.
// For training & sport
- Standing calf raises with a straight knee mainly challenge the gastrocnemius.
- Seated calf raises with a bent knee slacken it, so the soleus does most of the work.
- Full range pays off: lower the heel deep at the bottom, rise fully onto the toes at the top.
// Good to know
When walking, the calf muscles squeeze the deep veins and push blood back towards the heart. That's why they're called the muscle pump.
// Sources
last reviewed: 2026-11-14
// More from the atlas: Muscles
Pectoralis majorDeltoidBicepsTricepsForearm musclesRectus abdominisObliquesSerratus anteriorHip flexorsQuadricepsAdductorsTibialis anteriorTrapeziusLatissimus dorsiErector spinaeGluteus maximusHamstrings