gastrocnemius

American  

[gas-trok-nee-mee-uhs, gas-truh-nee-] / ˌgæs trɒkˈni mi əs, ˌgæs trəˈni- /

noun

Anatomy.

• gastrocnemii
  plural

1. the largest muscle in the calf of the leg, the action of which extends the foot, raises the heel, and assists in bending the knee.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• gastrocnemial
  adjective
• gastrocnemian
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• gastrocnemii
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of gastrocnemius

1670–80; < New Latin < Greek gastroknēm ( ía ) calf of the leg + Latin -ius noun suffix

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Compare meaning

How does gastrocnemius compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• soleus vs. gastrocnemius

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gastrocnemius gastrocnemii

The gastrocnemius increased in stiffness, indicating it might take over most of the function of the calf.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 20, 2024

The soleus and gastrocnemius muscles in the calf act in opposition to the tibialis anterior, pointing the foot downward.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 20, 2024

To make this gouge, the cutter must have first removed the larger gastrocnemius muscle — likely a good source of meat.

From Scientific American ● Jun. 28, 2023

The most superficial and visible muscle of the calf is the gastrocnemius.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Thus, the divided or undivided conditions of the m. obturator externus and the pars interna of the m. gastrocnemius seem to be correlated with the degrees of strength of certain movements of the leg.

From Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae A Taxonomic Study by William B. Stallcup

The heart is but a muscle; and, in man, has no more connexion with courage than the gastrocnemii muscles; nor, in the lion, than the muscles that move his tail.

From Beauty Illustrated Chiefly by an Analysis and Classificatin of Beauty in Woman by Alexander Walker

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