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Achilles Tendon

Achilles tendon and calf muscles

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. The calf muscle is actually two muscles, the gastrocnemius muscle and the soleus muscle. The soleus lies underneath the gastrocnemius.

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It allows you to rise up on your toes and push off while walking or running.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer David Bardana, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
Last Revised January 3, 2013

Last Revised: January 3, 2013

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & David Bardana, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine

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