118 ANATOMY FOR NURSES [Chap. VII 



Gastrocnemius and soleus. — The gastrocnemius and soleus 

 form the calf of the leg. The gastrocnemius arises by two heads 

 from the two condyles of the femur. The soleus is in front of the 

 gastrocnemius. It arises from the tibia and fibula. The direction 

 of both is downward, and they are inserted into a common tendon, 

 the tendon of the heel (tendo Achillis), which is the thickest and 

 strongest tendon in the body, and is inserted into the calcaneum, 

 or heel bone. 



Action. — Extension of the foot, and when the ankle joint is 

 fixed, extension of the leg. These muscles possess considerable 

 power, and are constantly called into use in standing, walking, 

 dancing, and leaping ; hence the large size they usually present.^ 



Fasciae. — As previously stated (page 37) most of the muscles 

 are closely covered by sheets of fibrous tissue called fascife. These 

 fasciae not only envelop and bind down the muscles, but also sep- 

 arate them into groups. Such groups are named according to 

 the parts of the body where they are found, viz. : cervical 

 fascia, thoracic fascia, abdominal fascia, pelvic fascia, etc. In- 

 dividual fascia are frequently given the name of the muscle which 

 they envelop and bind down, viz. : temporal fascia, pectoral 

 fascia, deltoid fascia, etc. It is important for the student to 

 realize the continuity of the fibrous membranes. Tendons, liga- 

 ments, and fasciae blend with periosteum, tendons and fasciae 

 serve as ligaments, tendons lose themselves in fasciae, and tendons 

 of some muscles serve as fasciae for others. 



Annular ligaments. — In the vicinity of the wrist and ankle, 

 parts of the deep fascia become blended into tight transverse 

 bands, which serve to hold the tendons close to the bones. These 

 bands are called annular ligaments. (See Fig. 82.) 



' Additional muscles included in Summary. 



