gastrocnemius

noun gas·troc·ne·mi·us \ˌgas-(ˌ)träk-ˈnē-mē-əs, -trək-\

plural gas·troc·ne·mii\-mē-ˌī\

Definition of GASTROCNEMIUS

: the largest and most superficial muscle of the calf of the leg arising by two heads from the condyles of the femur and attaching to a tendon that becomes part of the Achilles tendon

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Origin of GASTROCNEMIUS

New Latin, from Greek gastroknēmē calf of the leg, from gastr- + knēmē shank — more at ham

First Known Use: 1676

Medical Dictionary

gastrocnemius

noun gas·troc·ne·mi·us \ˌgas-(ˌ)träk-ˈnē-mē-əs, -trək-\

plural gas·troc·ne·mii \-mē-ˌī\

Medical Definition of GASTROCNEMIUS

: the largest and most superficial muscle of the calf of the leg that arises by two heads from the condyles of the femur and has its tendon of insertion incorporated as part of the Achilles tendon—called also gastrocnemius muscle

—gas·troc·ne·mi·al \-mē-əl\ adjective