Soleus - Muscle Physiology & Functional Anatomy

Anatomy

Origin:

• Posterior surface of the fibular head & proximal one-third of its shaft & from the posterior side of the tibia near the soleal line
  

Insertion

• Achilles tendon (to middle of three facets on posterior surface of calcaneus)

Major Arteries:

• Sural arteries

Neural Innervation:

• Tibial nerve (S1, S2)

Trigger Points: 

Physiology

Concentric Functions:

• Plantar flexion of the ankle
  

Eccentric Functions:

• Decelerates subtalar joint pronation

• Decelerates internal rotation of the lower leg

• Decelerates ankle dorsiflexion
  

Isometric Function:

• Helps dynamically stabilize the foot & ankle complex

Related Muscles

• Gastrocnemius

Antagonist:

• Tibialis Anterior

• Extensor Digitorum Longus
• Extensor Hallucis Longus
  

Exercises:

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More Images of the Soleus Muscle

More Information about the Soleus Muscle

The soleus muscle is a very important muscle which lies in the posterior compartment of the lower leg.  In addition to producing the constant pull that allows human beings to stand without falling forward the soleus helps with circulation.  Sometimes called the skeletal-muscle pump during upright posture, the solues is responsible for helping force the blood in the periphery veins back to the heart. 

The soleus also has a higher proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers than most other muscles in the human body.  The large percentage of slow-twitch muscle fibers makes the soleus highly resistant to fatigue which is precisely the reason why human beings can stand for long periods of time without falling over.

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