| Soleus muscle | |
|---|---|
 Muscles of lower extremity | |
 The soleus muscle and surrounding structures, from Gray's Anatomy. This is a view of the back of the right leg; most of the gastrocnemius muscle has been removed. | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Fibula, medial border of tibia (soleal line) |
| Insertion | Tendo calcaneus |
| Artery | Popliteal artery, posterior tibial artery, peroneal artery |
| Nerve | Tibial nerve, specifically, nerve roots L5–S2 |
| Actions | Plantarflexion |
| Antagonist | Tibialis anterior |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus soleus |
| TA98 | A04.7.02.047 |
| TA2 | 2660 |
| FMA | 22542 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
In humans and some other mammals, the soleus is a powerful muscle in the back part of the lower leg (the calf). It runs from just below the knee to the heel and is involved in standing and walking. It is closely connected to the gastrocnemius muscle, and some anatomists consider this combination to be a single muscle, the triceps surae. Its name is derived from the Latin word "solea", meaning "sandal".