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gastrocnemius

noun gas·troc·ne·mi·us \ ˌga-(ˌ)sträk-ˈnē-mē-əs , -strək- \

Definition of gastrocnemius

plural gastrocnemii play \ˌga-(ˌ)sträk-ˈnē-mē-ˌī, -strək-\

: 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 and Etymology of gastrocnemius

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1676

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Medical Dictionary

gastrocnemius

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

medical Definition of gastrocnemius

plural gastrocnemii play \-mē-ˌī\

: 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

—

gastrocnemial

play \-mē-əl\ adjective

Illustration of gastrocnemius

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