Gastrocnemius muscle insertion via the Achilles tendon. The plantaris muscle and a portion of its tendon run between the two muscles, which is involved in "locking" the knee from the standing position. Since the anterior compartment of the leg is lateral to the tibia, the bulge of muscle medial to the tibia on the anterior side is actually the posterior compartment. The soleus is superficial to the mid-shaft of the tibia. 10% to 30% of individuals have a sesamoid bone called the "fabella" in the lateral (outer) head of gastrocnemius muscle. Along with the soleus muscle, the gastrocnemius forms half of the
Skeletal muscle "flexor" and "extensor"; "abductor" and "adductor"; "levator" and "depressor"; "supinator" and "pronator"; "sphincter", "tensor", and "rotator" muscles. A flexor muscle decreases the anterior angle at a joint; an extensor increases the anterior angle at a joint. An abductor moves a bone away from the midline; an adductor moves a bone closer to the midline. A levator raises a structure; a depressor moves a structure down. A supinator turns the palm of the hand up; a pronator turns the palm down. A sphincter decreases the size of an opening; a tensor tenses a body part; a rotator turns a bone around