The soleus
Soleus · musculus soleus
A flat, deep calf muscle that keeps you upright and helps pump blood back to your heart.
What it does
The soleus lies beneath the gastrocnemius and joins it at the Achilles tendon. It points the foot down too, but it is built for endurance. It works constantly when you stand, stopping you from toppling forward, and it is very active in walking.
Surprising fact
The soleus is nicknamed the "second heart" because its contractions squeeze the veins inside it and push blood back up the leg.
Why it matters
When you sit still for hours on a long flight, this pump stops working, which raises the risk of blood clots. Flexing your ankles and walking around keeps the blood moving.
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Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.