Which muscle is responsible for pulling the heel down?

The muscle responsible for pulling the heel down is the gastrocnemius. This muscle is part of the calf muscle group and plays a crucial role in actions such as walking, running, and jumping. It acts to plantarflex the foot at the ankle joint, which effectively pulls the heel down as you push off the ground.

The gastrocnemius works in conjunction with the soleus muscle, which also assists in this movement; however, the gastrocnemius is more prominently involved in activities that require stronger force during heel depression due to its larger size and greater leverage.

In contrast, the quadriceps primarily functions to extend the knee and is not involved in heel movement. The tibialis anterior, on the other hand, is responsible for dorsiflexion, which lifts the foot upwards, counteracting the action of pushing the heel down. Thus, the specific role of the gastrocnemius in plantarflexion makes it the correct answer in this context.