To which muscle does the Achilles' tendon attach?

The Achilles' tendon is the strong fibrous tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone (calcaneus). It primarily attaches to the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, which together form the triceps surae group of calf muscles. The gastrocnemius, being the more superficial muscle of the two, plays a significant role in movements such as walking, running, and jumping, as it enables plantar flexion of the foot at the ankle joint.

When looking at the options provided, the gastrocnemius is the correct muscle associated with the Achilles' tendon, as it connects directly to this tendon. The soleus also attaches to the Achilles' tendon but is not the focus of the question regarding the primary muscle connection. The tibialis anterior, while important for dorsiflexion of the foot, does not connect to the Achilles' tendon as it is located in the front of the leg. The quadriceps, mainly responsible for knee extension, are also irrelevant in this context, as they do not have any direct association with the Achilles' tendon. Therefore, the choice pointing to the gastrocnemius is accurate as it highlights the muscle most closely related to the Achilles' tendon.