: a broad flat muscle of the calf of the leg lying immediately beneath the gastrocnemius
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThe soleus, one of two main calf muscles, showed 36 percent less activity per stride during steep uphill running than during steep uphill walking, which is consistent with the idea that local muscle fatigue triggers the transition. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 27 Dec. 2020 Why: Strengthens the soleus, a calf muscle that helps power a variety of movements. Jenny Mccoy, Outside Online, 18 Apr. 2022 Add weight to calf raises: Do both straight-leg calf raises (for the gastrocnemius) and bent-knee calf raises to target the soleus. Ian Mcmahan, Outside Online, 18 Sep. 2020 When landing with a midfoot strike, the soleus (deep calf muscle) is most affected. Rick Prince, Outside Online, 23 June 2020 The calf complex, sometimes referred to the as the triceps surae, is composed of two key muscles: the gastrocnemius, primarily fast twitch muscle fibers, and the soleus, a key muscle for running as it is composed of mostly slow twitch muscle fibers. Ian Mcmahan, Outside Online, 18 Sep. 2020 Better yet, your soleus is another three percent looser than yesterday. Richard A. Lovett, Outside Online, 11 Jan. 2021 The heel drop stretches the Achilles tendon and the gastrocnemius and soleus calf muscles. Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 17 Jan. 2022 The Bucks also will likely be without forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo for Friday’s game in New Orleans, who is listed as doubtful to play with a strained right soleus (calf) muscle. Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 17 Dec. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Latin solea sandal — more at sole
First Known Use
1676, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
soleus
noun
so·le·us ˈsō-lē-əs
plural solei -lē-ˌī also soleuses
: a broad flat muscle of the calf of the leg that lies deep to the gastrocnemius, arises from the back and upper part of the tibia and fibula and from a tendinous arch between them, inserts by a tendon that unites with that of the gastrocnemius to form the Achilles tendon, and acts to flex the foot