Gastrocnemial

/ˌɡæstroʊkˈniːmiəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to the gastrocnemius muscle, the major muscle in the calf of the leg.

Etymology

From Greek 'gastro-' (stomach) and 'kneme' (leg or shin), with the suffix '-ial' meaning relating to. Ancient anatomists named this muscle thinking its shape resembled a stomach.

Kelly Says

The gastrocnemius got its name from ancient Greek doctors who thought the muscle bulge looked like a stomach—it's a funny example of how anatomical names sometimes stick around even when the reasoning seems odd to us now.

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