Gastrocnemius muscle (3D)

The video tutorial explores the gastrocnemius muscle, focusing on its anatomy, innervation, and functions. It highlights the muscle's role in plantar flexion and knee flexion, emphasizing its importance in activities like ballet and sprinting. The tutorial also discusses the biomechanics of the muscle, explaining how it contributes to movements such as jumping and standing on tiptoes. The gastrocnemius is a biarticular muscle, acting on both the knee and ankle joints, but cannot perform both functions simultaneously at full power.

What is the primary muscle involved when a ballet dancer stands on their toes?

• Quadriceps

• Tibialis Anterior

• Gastrocnemius

• Hamstrings

Which muscle is known for having two heads, a medial and a lateral?

• Soleus

• Rectus Femoris

• Gastrocnemius

• Biceps Brachii

Which nerve innervates the gastrocnemius muscle?

• Tibial nerve

• Peroneal nerve

• Sciatic nerve

• Femoral nerve

What is the main function of the gastrocnemius muscle at the ankle joint?

• Plantar Flexion

• Inversion

• Dorsiflexion

• Eversion

Which type of muscle fibers are predominantly found in the gastrocnemius muscle?

• Type I (slow-twitch)

• Type II (fast-twitch)

• Type III

• Type IV

Why can't the gastrocnemius muscle perform plantar flexion when the knee is fully flexed?

• It is not attached to the ankle

• It is not innervated

• It is a biarticular muscle

• It is too weak

What is the role of the gastrocnemius muscle at the knee joint?

• Stabilization

• Rotation

• Extension

• Flexion