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Achilles tendon

Illustration copyright 2004 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

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.

Primary Medical Reviewer Martin Gabica, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Nicola Maffulli, MD, PhD
- Orthopedics
Last Updated January 30, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 30, 2007
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