Noun: gastrocnemius (gastrocnemii) ,gas,trók'nee-mee-us
- The muscle in the back part of the leg that forms the greater part of the calf; responsible for the plantar flexion of the foot
"Athletes often strain their gastrocnemius muscle when sprinting";
- gastrocnemius muscle
Derived forms: gastrocnemii
Type of: skeletal muscle, striated muscle
Encyclopedia: Gastrocnemius