Gastrocnemius Muscle Linda Hilger August 19, 2012

The gastrocnemius tendon is one of five tendons of the group; the other tendons in this group are the superficial digital flexor (SDF), the gracilis, semitendinosus, and the bicep femoris tendon. The gastrocnemius tendon and SDF are the two major components, and one of the largest tendons in the hindquarter tendon group. The main purpose of the Achilles tendon is to keep the of the paw off the ground (Degner, 2010). The Gastrocnemius tendon is in the back part of the lower leg, in the caudal muscles of the leg. The two heads, the medial and lateral, run from above the , to the heel. The name Gastrocnemius comes from the Greek word gastrokn ēmē, meaning “ of the leg”. The Gastrocnemius tendons function within the Achilles tendon group is to extend the hock and flex the stifle. The hind leg muscles retraction is initiated by the middle and powered by the muscles. The gastrocnemius and the deep flexor muscles assist in the flexion of the paw (Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, L.M.T., 2004) The blood supply to the Achilles tendon group comes from three sources: the musculotendinous junction, the surrounding connective tissue, and the bone-tendon junction (Mafulli, 1999).

References

College of Veterinary Medicine (2013), Veterinary Anatomy. Retrieved January 19, 2013 from website http://vanat.cvm.umn.edu/carnLabs/Lab07/Lab07.html Degner, D.A. DVM, DACVS (2010). Achilles and Gastrocnemius Tendon Tears, Surgery Service. Retrieved January 19, 2013, from website http://www.michvet.com/Client%20Education%20Handouts/Surgery%20handouts/Achilles'%20t endon%20tear.pdf Hourdebaigt, Jean-Pierre. Canine Massage: a complete reference manual / Jean-Pierre Hourdebaight. – 2 nd ed. Maffulli, N. (1999). The Journal of Joint and Bone Surgery, Current Concepts Review – Rupture of the Achilles Tendon. Retrieved January 19, 2013, from web site http://www.udel.edu/PT/PT%20Clinical%20Services/journalclub/caserounds/10- 11/November/Current%20Concepts%20Review%20Achilles%20Rupture.pdf Muscles of the Leg. (2006). Aricle; Muscles of the Leg. Retrieved January 19, 2013, from web site http://download.videohelp.com/vitualis/med/mmleg.htm

Ellison, M., Kobayashi, H., Delaney, F., Danielson, K., Vanderby, R., Muir, P. and Forrest, L. J. (2013), FEASIBILITY AND REPEATABILITY FOR IN VIVO MEASUREMENTS OF STIFFNESS GRADIENTS IN THE CANINE GASTROCNEMIUS TENDON USING AN ACOUSTOELASTIC STRAIN GAUGE. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound, 54: 548–554. doi: 10.1111/vru.12052 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vru.12052/abstract gastrocnemius muscle, also called leg triceps, large posterior muscle of the calf of the leg. It originates at the back of the (thighbone) and patella (kneecap) and, joining the soleus (another muscle of the calf), is attached to the Achilles tendon at the heel. Action of the gastrocnemius pulls the heel up and thus extends the downward; the muscle provides the propelling force in running and jumping. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/226747/gastrocnemius-muscle http://www.ojaischoolofmassage.com/documents/canineoian.pdf