The soleus is a muscle within the superficial compartment of the posterior leg. It is a flat muscle located underneath the gastrocnemius, and gets its name from its resemblance to a sole – a flat fish. Attachments: Originates from the soleal line of the tibia and proximal fibula. The muscle converges with the fibres of the gastrocnemius to form the calcaneal tendon, which inserts onto the calcaneus. Actions: Plantarflexion of the foot at the ankle joint. Innervation: Tibial nerve Blood supply: Posterior tibial 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