The soleus is one of the muscles within the superficial group within the posterior compartment of the leg. The soleus muscle is a large flat muscle which lies immediately deep to the gastrocnemius muscle.
The leg is comprised of anterior, lateral and posterior compartments. The posterior (flexor) compartment consists of two groups of muscles: a superficial group and a deep group, which are separated by a deep fascial layer.
Muscles of the superficial group within the posterior compartment of the leg
Muscles of the deep group within the posterior compartment of the leg
Origin
- Tibia: Soleal line and middle third of posterior border of tibia
- Fibula: Upper quarter of posterior shaft of fibula head, neck and proximal fibula shaft
- Tendinous arch between tibia and fibula
Insertion
- Calcaneal tendon, to posterior surface of calcaneus
Action
- Plantarflexes the foot
Innervation
- Tibial nerve: S1, S2
Blood Supply
- Posterior tibial
- Peroneal
- Sural arteries