Gastrocnemius definition

Part of the lower leg, the gastrocnemius includes the medial head that joins to the femur just above the medial condyle ( the lateral head operates the same way above the lateral condyle).  It is located at the achilles tendon to the bone of the heel, the calcaneus.  The function of the gastrocnemius is to straighten the joint of the ankle to point the left or right foot, or lift a person that is standing onto the ball of his/her foot.