HB-026 · Muscular · Part

Leg and foot muscles

Also called: calf, shin and foot muscles Musculi cruris et pedis

3D anatomy data Classes 9-10 · Classes 11-12 Intermediate Draft - educator review

Picture of the Leg and foot muscles model

3D is not available on this device, so a picture of the model is shown instead.

Parts: gastrocnemius; soleus; tibialis anterior; fibularis group; intrinsic foot muscles

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About

Leg and foot muscles point and lift the foot, support the arches and push off when walking.

📍 Where it is: Front, side and back of the leg and in the sole.
🧱 Structure: Tibialis anterior and extensors in front, fibularis muscles at the side, gastrocnemius, soleus and deep flexors behind, the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon and small foot muscles.
⚙️ What it does: Walking, running, jumping, balance and supporting the arches.

💡 Key facts

The calcaneal (Achilles) tendon is the strongest tendon.
Soleus helps pump blood back up the leg.
Tibialis anterior lifts the foot so the toes clear the ground.

✗ Calf muscles are only for running

✓ They also pump blood back to the heart when you walk.

📒 Words to know

calf: back of the leg
dorsiflexion: lifting the foot up
plantar flexion: pointing the foot down

🏫 Related lessons

Human body, senses and hygiene Classes 1-5
Fitness components Classes 6-8
Anatomy, physiology and biomechanics Classes 11-12
Sports training and fitness testing Classes 11-12

Generic GayaGnan topic lessons. Check your own board's syllabus for the exact chapter.

🔎 Sources and credits

Catalog description: Muscles controlling ankle and toes.

OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, ch. 10-11 (muscle tissue, muscular system) (accessed 2026-10-30)
3D models: BodyParts3D (DBCLS) and the Human Reference Atlas (HuBMAP), CC BY 4.0, with GayaGnan schematics. 3D model credits

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