Triceps surae muscle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Triceps surae
Posterior view of the triceps surae.
Latin	musculus triceps surae
Artery	Posterior tibial artery
Nerve	Tibial nerve

The triceps surae is a group of two important muscles located in your calf. These muscles are the gastrocnemius and the soleus. Together, they form the main part of the muscle at the back of your lower leg, often called the calf muscle. Both muscles connect to your calcaneus, which is your heel bone, through a strong tendon.

Discovering Your Calf Muscles

Your triceps surae muscles connect to your foot using a very strong rope-like tissue called the Achilles tendon. This muscle group has three main parts, or 'heads'.

• The gastrocnemius is the part you can see closer to the surface. It has two heads that attach to the bottom of your femur (thigh bone), just above your knee.
• The soleus muscle is deeper inside your leg. It forms the third head and attaches to the upper back part of your tibia (shin bone).

A special wire-like structure, called the tibial nerve, sends signals to these muscles. This nerve helps your brain tell your calf muscles what to do.

How Your Calf Muscles Work

When your triceps surae muscles contract, they help you do something called plantar flexion. This means pointing your toes downwards, like when you press the gas pedal in a car or stand on your tiptoes.

These muscles also help keep your ankle steady and balanced, especially when you are moving. They are super important for many daily activities! Think about walking, running, and jumping. Your calf muscles give you the power to push off the ground. They also help stop you from falling over, keeping your body stable. These muscles can even turn stored energy into movement energy, helping you jump higher or run faster!

Keeping Your Calf Muscles Healthy

What is a Calf Strain?

Sometimes, muscles can get hurt. A calf strain happens when one of your calf muscles or its connecting tendons gets stretched too much or even slightly torn. It's like pulling a rubber band too far. If you don't let it heal properly before using it again, it can take much longer to get better. To help prevent strains, it's a good idea to stretch your calf muscles. Exercises like calf raises can make your legs more flexible and ready for activities like running.

Sometimes, you might feel a small, quick twitch in your calf muscle. These are called fasciculations, and they are usually harmless, like a tiny muscle hiccup.

Where Does the Name Come From?

The name triceps surae comes from Latin words. 'Tri' means three, and 'ceps' comes from 'caput' meaning head. 'Surae' means of the calf. So, it literally means 'the three-headed muscle of the calf'!

More Pictures of Your Calf Muscles

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  Animation. Gastrocnemius and soleus are shown in different colors.

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  Illustration of the gastrocnemius.

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  Illustration of soleus.

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  Nerves, arteries and veins surround the gastrocnemius and soleus.

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  Cross section of the lower leg, with triceps surae at back (soleus and gastrocnemius)

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  Nerves and blood-vessels overlying the triceps surae