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gastrocnemius

Pronunciation: /ˌgastrə(ʊ)ˈkniːmɪəs/

(also gastrocnemius muscle)

Definition of gastrocnemius

noun (plural gastrocnemii /-mɪʌɪ/)

Anatomy

the chief muscle of the calf of the leg, which flexes the knee and foot. It runs to the Achilles tendon from two heads attached to the femur.

Origin:

late 17th century: modern Latin, from Greek gastroknēmia 'calf of the leg', from gaster, gastr- 'stomach' + knēmē 'leg' (from the bulging shape of the calf)