Soleus — Anatomy Notes, Diagram & Quiz

The Soleus is located in the posterior lower leg. Plantarflexes ankle. The soleus lies deep to the gastrocnemius.

Soleus highlighted in a 3D model of the human body
Soleus highlighted in the 3D body atlas. 3D atlas: BodyParts3D (DBCLS, CC BY-SA 2.1 Japan); Écorché/Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0). Rendered in anotemy.

Key facts

Soleus at a glance
LocationPosterior lower leg
Main functionPlantarflexes ankle.
Layersuperficial muscles
Key fact 1The soleus lies deep to the gastrocnemius.
Key fact 2The soleus plantarflexes the ankle joint.
Key fact 3The soleus is sometimes called the "second heart" for its role in venous return.

Where is the Soleus located?

The Soleus is located in the posterior lower leg.

The soleus lies deep to the gastrocnemius.

What does the Soleus do?

Plantarflexes ankle.

The soleus plantarflexes the ankle joint.

What to know for exams

  • The soleus lies deep to the gastrocnemius.
  • The soleus plantarflexes the ankle joint.
  • The soleus is sometimes called the "second heart" for its role in venous return.

It belongs to the superficial muscles layer. Learn its location, relations, and the structures it works with.

Clinical relevance

The soleus is sometimes called the "second heart" for its role in venous return.

Link the soleus to its blood supply, innervation and relations. That is how exam questions usually test it.

Memory aid: Soleus

The soleus lies deep to the gastrocnemius. The soleus plantarflexes the ankle joint. The soleus is sometimes called the "second heart" for its role in venous return.

Chain it as location → function → clinical link when you revise.

Soleus anatomy quiz

Five questions. Open each answer after you commit to a response.

  1. Where is the Soleus located?

    Reveal answer

    Posterior lower leg

  2. What is the main function of the Soleus?

    Reveal answer

    Plantarflexes ankle.

  3. Give one key fact about the Soleus.

    Reveal answer

    The soleus lies deep to the gastrocnemius.

  4. Give another key fact about the Soleus.

    Reveal answer

    The soleus plantarflexes the ankle joint.

  5. What clinical link is associated with the Soleus?

    Reveal answer

    The soleus is sometimes called the "second heart" for its role in venous return.

Common questions

Where is the Soleus located?

The Soleus is located in the posterior lower leg. The soleus lies deep to the gastrocnemius.

What does the Soleus do?

Plantarflexes ankle. The soleus plantarflexes the ankle joint.

What is a key fact about the Soleus?

The soleus is sometimes called the "second heart" for its role in venous return.

What layer does the Soleus belong to?

It belongs to the superficial muscles layer of the body.

What should I remember for exams?

The soleus lies deep to the gastrocnemius. The soleus plantarflexes the ankle joint. The soleus is sometimes called the "second heart" for its role in venous return.

Sources

  1. Standring, S. (ed.). Gray’s Anatomy, 42nd edition. Elsevier, 2020.
  2. TeachMeAnatomy — anatomy library
  3. Kenhub — anatomy library
  4. StatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf — Soleus search

3D atlas and image credits

Anatomy models: BodyParts3D, © Database Center for Life Science (DBCLS), CC BY-SA 2.1 Japan. Écorché by Charleeh, derived from BodyParts3D and Z-Anatomy, CC BY-SA 4.0. Rendered in anotemy. Changes: highlighting, framing, labels and background removal. Images: CC BY-SA 4.0.

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