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Lower Limbs – Part II ‐ Muscles of the Lower Limbs
Hip and Lower Limb Muscles
Most anterior compartment muscles of the hip and thigh flex the femur at the hip and extend the leg at the
knee
Posterior compartment muscles of the hip and thigh extend the thigh and flex the leg
The medial compartment muscles all adduct the thigh
These three groups are enclosed by the fascia lata
Muscles of the Hip: Gluteal Muscles
Gluteus maximus:
o Extension and lateral rotation of leg
Gluteus medius:
o Abduction of leg
Gluteus minimus:
o Abduction, medial rotation of leg
Tensor fasciae latae:
o Stabilizes iliotibial tract
Hip Flexor: Iliopsoas
Two hip flexors insert on the same tendon:
o psoas major
o iliacus
Muscles of the Hip: Lateral Rotators
Piriformis:
o Lateral rotation and adduction at hip
Obturator:
o Lateral rotation at hip
Quadratus Femoris:
o Lateral rotation at hip
Superior Gemellus/Inferior Gemellus:
o Lateral rotation at hip
Iliopsoas
Muscles of the Thigh: Anterior
Sartorius:
o Flexion, lateral rotation
Quadriceps Femoris:
o Vastus lateralis
o Vastus intermedius Sartorius
o Vastus medialis
Rectus
Knee extension
Femoris
o Rectus femoris
Hip flexion
synergist
Muscles of the Thigh: Adductors
Adductor magnus:
o Adduction, extension, and flexion
Adductor brevis:
o Hip flexion and adduction
Adductor longus:
o Hip flexion and adduction
Pectineus:
o Hip flexion and adduction
Gracilis:
o Hip flexion and adduction
Muscles of the Thigh: Posterior
Hamstrings:
o biceps femoris
o semimembranosus
o semitendinosus
Knee flexion, hip extension
Long Head Short Head
Semimembranosus Semitendinosus
Biceps Femoris
Muscles of the Leg: Anterior
Tibialis Anterior:
o Dorsiflexion, inversion
Extensor Digitorum Longus:
o Extension of toes
Extensor Hallucis Longus:
o Extension of great toe
Tibialis Extensor Digitorum Extensor Hallucis
Anterior Longus Longus
Muscles of the Leg: Posterior & Lateral
Gastrocnemius:
o Plantar flexion (leg straight)
Soleus:
o Plantar flexion (leg bent at knee)
Peroneus (fibularis) Longus:
o Eversion, plantar flexion
Gastrocnemius Soleus
Peroneus Longus