Achilles tendon
Tendo calcaneus
MuscularSuperficial musclesLegLeft and right
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- What it is
- The calcaneal tendon, thickest and strongest tendon in the body, formed by the union of gastrocnemius and soleus and inserting on the middle of the back of the calcaneus.
- Function
- Transmits the force of the triceps surae to plantarflex the foot in walking, running and jumping - loads of several times body weight.
- Size
- About 15 cm long; about 1.5 cm wide and 6 mm thick at its narrowest.
- Clinical note
- Usually ruptures 2-6 cm above its insertion where the blood supply is poorest; the Thompson (calf-squeeze) test detects a complete tear.