Plantaris

Musculus plantaris

The plantaris is a small, often vestigial muscle with a short belly and a very long thin tendon that weakly assists the gastrocnemius in knee flexion and ankle plantarflexion. It is functionally minor for strength but rich in proprioceptors and a frequent source of sudden calf pain (“tennis leg”) when its tendon ruptures. It is absent in a notable minority of people.

Actions: Ankle plantarflexion, Knee flexion
Origin: Inferior part of the lateral supracondylar line of the femur, just above the lateral head of the gastrocnemius
Insertion: Posterior surface of the calcaneus, via a long thin tendon medial to the Achilles tendon
Innervation: Tibial nerve (S1, S2)
Blood supply: Sural arteries (branches of the popliteal artery)

Synergists Gastrocnemius Soleus

Antagonists Tibialis Anterior

Tendons Achilles Tendon

Wikipedia ↗

Exercises (11)

Assists in

Bodyweight Standing Calf Raise
Calf Raise
Donkey Calf Raise
Leg Curl
Leg Press Calf Raise
Single-Leg Donkey Calf Raise
Single-Leg Dumbbell Calf Raise
Single-Leg Leg Press Calf Raise
Smith Machine Calf Raise
Standing Barbell Calf Raise
Standing Machine Calf Raise

calveslegsplantarflexionvestigialbiarticular