Calf Pump Showing Venous Return Flow

Image Description:

The skeletal muscle pump or calf pump or muscle pump system is the mechanism where skeletal muscle aids heart circulation during exercise, activity and aids in increasing venous return back to the heart. Peripheral veins in the arms and legs have a one way valve that directs flow away from a limb and towards the heart. They also prevent blood falling back down the vein. The valve illustrated here is located in the calf muscles of the leg and during exercise the muscles undergo compression when the muscles surrounding them contract, relax. Therefore the veins also undergo a cycle of compression and contraction and blood is pumped up though the veins. This process termed as the muscle pump system.  

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Anatomy Visible in the Medical Illustration Includes:

Veins, gastrocnemius muscles, calf muscles, blood flow, calf pump, skeletal muscle pump, muscle pump system, posterior view of leg, cross section through vein.

Image created by:

Joanna Culley