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Portrait of Soleus

Anatomy · Muscles

Soleus

The deep, flat calf muscle

Lower limb · leg, posterior compartment

Soleus is the broad, flat muscle lying deep to gastrocnemius in the calf. It arises from the tibia and fibula and joins the gastrocnemius in the Achilles tendon. It plantarflexes the ankle whatever the position of the knee, and its tone in standing acts as a venous pump for the leg. It is supplied by the tibial nerve.

How to spot them

  • ▸Flat muscle deep to gastrocnemius, seen bulging at the sides of the calf
  • ▸Arises from the tibia and fibula, so it does not cross the knee
  • ▸Tendinous soleal arch, under which the tibial nerve and vessels pass
  • ▸Named from the Latin solea, sandal

What to know

The broad flat calf muscle lying beneath the two-headed muscle, named for its sandal shape

Soleus — solea is Latin for sandal, also the sole fish.

The plantarflexor that works even with the knee bent, because it does not cross the knee

Soleus — gastrocnemius is slack with the knee flexed.

A muscle whose contractions squeeze the deep veins of the calf, the 'peripheral heart'

Soleus — the calf muscle pump.

It arises from the soleal line of the tibia and the head and upper fibula, under a tendinous arch

Soleus.

A predominantly slow-twitch postural muscle, essential to standing upright

Soleus.

It joins gastrocnemius in the Achilles tendon to reach the heel bone

Soleus.

Key ideas

  • It is the workhorse of standing and walking: sway is continually corrected by soleus, which is rich in slow-twitch fibres.
  • Contractions of the soleus and gastrocnemius squeeze the deep veins, aiding venous return, which is why prolonged immobility can contribute to venous stasis.

Quick-fire facts

  • •Origin: soleal line and middle third of the medial border of the tibia, and the head and upper fibula.
  • •Insertion: calcaneus via the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon.
  • •Nerve supply: tibial nerve (S1–S2).
  • •Action: plantarflexes the ankle regardless of knee position.
  • •It lies deep to gastrocnemius and does not cross the knee.
  • •It is largely slow-twitch, suited to sustained postural work.
  • •Named from the Latin solea, sandal, which also gives the sole fish its name.

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