Plantaris
Lower legs
Deep muscle — it lies under other muscles. X-ray makes the muscles over it see-through.
- Origin
- Lower lateral supracondylar line of the femur, above the lateral head of the gastrocnemius
- Insertion
- Calcaneus, beside or with the Achilles tendon
- Action
- Weakly assists plantarflexion and knee flexion
- Nerve supply
- Tibial nerve (S1–S2)
A small muscle with a very long, thin tendon running between the gastrocnemius and soleus. It adds little force and is absent in some people.
Plantaris anatomy page →