Dominic Stone
The soleus is a powerful muscle in the calf that runs from just below the knee to the heel. It is involved in standing, walking, running, and jumping. The soleus muscle is located in the superficial posterior compartment of the leg, and is closely connected to the gastrocnemius muscle. The two muscles join together at the Achilles tendon and insert on the back side of the heel bone, called the calcaneus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Back part of the lower leg (calf) |
| Just below the knee to the heel | |
| Deep to the gastrocnemius muscle | |
| Function | Maintains standing posture |
| Involved in walking, running, and jumping | |
| Helps pump blood from the lower leg back to the heart | |
| Plantar flexion of the foot | |
| Composition | Mostly slow-twitch muscle fibres |
| High endurance | |
| Blood supply | Peroneal artery proximally |
| Posterior tibial artery distally | |
| Innervation | Tibial nerve |
| Anterior rami of S1 and S2 spinal nerves | |
| Common injuries | Strain or overuse injury |
| Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) |
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What You'll Learn
The soleus muscle is located in the lower leg/calf
The soleus muscle is located in the lower leg, or calf. It is a powerful muscle, situated deep to the gastrocnemius muscle. The soleus and gastrocnemius muscles run together from the back of the knee to the ankle, forming the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel bone, or calcaneus. The soleus is the most effective muscle for plantar flexion in a bent knee position, and it is active during weight-bearing activities such as walking, running, and jumping. It also plays an important role in maintaining standing posture, as it provides a constant pull that prevents the body from falling forward.
The soleus muscle is a wide, flat muscle in the posterior leg. It is one of 600 muscles in the human body and makes up part of the calf muscle, or triceps surae, along with the gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles. The soleus has the greatest physiological cross-sectional area (CSA) of the calf muscles and provides up to 80% of triceps surae force. The size and shape of the triceps surae muscle bellies determine the appearance of human calves, which can vary from slim to robust.
The soleus muscle is composed of mostly slow-twitch muscle fibres, which have high endurance and can withstand contractions and workloads for prolonged periods. This composition makes the soleus resistant to fatigue and allows it to be active for extended periods during activities such as walking and running. The muscle is involved in plantar flexion, which is the direction of motion that occurs as the foot and toes point down. It is the primary muscle utilised for plantar flexion during regular movement due to its slow-twitch fibres.
The soleus muscle receives its blood supply from the peroneal artery proximally and the posterior tibial artery distally. It is innervated by the tibial nerve and the anterior rami of S1 and S2 spinal nerves. The soleus is subject to possible injury due to its involvement in various activities and its role in the workload of the lower leg. Common injuries to the soleus include strains and calf strains, which can cause pain and discomfort.
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It runs from the knee to the heel
The soleus muscle is a powerful muscle in the back part of the lower leg, or calf. It runs from just below the knee to just above the muscles around the ankle, attaching to the heel bone, or calcaneus, via the Achilles tendon. The soleus is located deep to the larger gastrocnemius muscle, and the two muscles are closely connected, with some anatomists considering them a single muscle, the triceps surae.
The soleus is involved in standing and walking, and is active during activities like running, jumping, and dancing. It is a major postural muscle, helping to maintain an upright posture by acting as an antigravity muscle. Without the soleus, the body would fall forward. It is also involved in plantar flexion, or pointing the foot and toes down, especially when the knee is bent.
The soleus is composed of mostly slow-twitch, fatigue-resistant muscle fibres, which makes it very resistant to fatigue. This is important because the soleus is responsible for much of the workload of the lower leg and is prone to injury, especially from overuse. Common injuries to the soleus include strains and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
The soleus muscle gets its name from the Latin word "solea", meaning "sandal". It is one of 600 muscles in the human body and, although it makes up only about 1% of body weight, it can have a big impact on metabolic health. For example, the soleus pushup has been found to elevate muscle metabolism for hours, even while sitting.
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It is involved in standing, walking, and running
The soleus is a powerful muscle in the back part of the lower leg (the calf). It runs from just below the knee to the heel and is involved in standing, walking, and running.
The soleus muscle is vital in maintaining standing posture. Its constant pull prevents the body from falling forward. It is also involved in pumping venous blood back into the heart from the periphery. This is often called the skeletal muscle pump, peripheral heart, or the sural (tricipital) pump.
The soleus is the most effective muscle for plantar flexion in a bent-knee position. Plantar flexion is the direction of motion that occurs as the foot and toes point down. During regular movement, the soleus is the primary muscle used for plantar flexion due to its slow-twitch fibres resisting fatigue.
The soleus is also active during walking and running. It is stretched during running and stores energy, which is then released when the muscle contracts and shortens. During walking and running, the muscle fascicles contributed only 35% and 20% of the overall MTU length change and shortening velocity, respectively.
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It is closely connected to the gastrocnemius muscle
The soleus muscle is a powerful muscle in the back of the lower leg (the calf). It runs from just below the knee to the heel and is involved in standing and walking. It is closely connected to the gastrocnemius muscle, which is also located in the calf. The two muscles are considered by some anatomists to be a single muscle, known as the triceps surae. The gastrocnemius is a two-joint muscle that crosses the knee and ankle. It is an active plantar flexor of the ankle when the knee is straight.
The gastrocnemius originates on the femur, while the soleus originates from the back side of the tibia, or shin bone. The two muscles join together at the Achilles tendon and insert on the back side of the heel bone, called the calcaneus. The soleus is located deeper in the leg than the gastrocnemius, which is closer to the skin. The plantaris muscle and a portion of its tendon run between the two muscles.
The soleus and gastrocnemius muscles work together to enable basic activities such as walking, running, and jumping. The soleus is the primary muscle used for plantar flexion during regular movement, due to its slow-twitch fibres that resist fatigue. The gastrocnemius, on the other hand, is more involved in "fast" movements such as running and jumping, due to its white muscle fibres. The soleus is also important for maintaining standing posture; its constant pull prevents the body from falling forward.
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It is prone to injuries and strains
The soleus muscle is a powerful muscle in the back part of the lower leg (the calf). It runs from just below the knee to the heel and is involved in standing and walking. It is prone to injuries and strains due to its role in various physical activities and its deep soleus location.
The soleus muscle is active during walking, running, jumping, and other weight-bearing activities. It is also a major postural muscle, preventing the body from falling forward at the ankle. This constant activity makes the soleus susceptible to overuse injuries, especially in endurance and long-distance runners. The muscle is also more prone to injury than deeper muscles in the posterior leg due to its location and complex anatomy.
Injuries to the soleus muscle can result from quick movements or explosive activities, but they are more commonly associated with endurance sports and activities that generate fatigue and overtraining. The classic manifestation of a soleus injury is progressive subacute calf tightness or stiffness that limits sports activity. This tightness and stiffness worsen over days to weeks, and walking or jogging tends to provoke symptoms.
To diagnose a soleus injury, doctors may use clinical testing, including palpation, strength testing, and stretching, along with imaging tools such as ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). US is accessible and cost-effective, while MRI offers greater sensitivity for diagnosing deep injuries. Treatment for a strained soleus typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation, commonly known as the RICE method.
To prevent soleus strains, it is essential to pay attention to discomfort during physical activities. Gentle stretches before and after exercising, as well as using a foam roller to loosen tight muscles, can also help reduce the risk of injury.
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Frequently asked questions
The soleus muscle is a powerful muscle in the back part of the lower leg (the calf). It runs from just below the knee to the heel and is involved in standing and walking.
The soleus muscle is one of the muscles that form the calf. It is involved in many basic activities such as walking, running, and jumping. It also plays an important role in maintaining standing posture; without its constant pull, the body would fall forward.
The soleus muscle is composed of mostly slow-twitch muscle fibres, which have high endurance and can withstand contractions and workloads for a prolonged period. When the muscle is stretched, it stores energy which is then released when the muscle contracts and shortens.
