The plantaris is a small muscle within the superficial compartment of the posterior leg. It is absent in approximately 10% of the population. Attachments: Originates from the lateral supracondylar line of the femur. The fibres condense into a tendon which travels down the leg, between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. It blends with the calcaneal tendon and inserts onto the calcaneus. Actions: Contributes to plantarflexion at the ankle joint and flexion at the knee joint. Innervation: Tibial nerve. Blood supply: Lateral sural artery (branch of the popliteal artery). By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025) Fig 1The muscles in the superficial layer of the posterior leg. The body of the gastrocnemius has been cut away to expose the underlying musculature. Pro Feature - 3D Model You've Discovered a Pro Feature Access our 3D Model Library Explore, cut, dissect, annotate and manipulate our 3D models to visualise anatomy in a dynamic, interactive way. Learn More Print Article Rate This Article