Muscles of the Lower Limb Flashcards
Pectineus
Proximal: superior ramus of pubis
Distal: pectineal line of femur, just inferior to lesser trochanter
Innervation: Femoral nerve
Action: flexes and abducts hip joint. Assist medial rotation of hip joint
Sartorius “tailor’s muscle”
Longest strap-like running obliquely crosses thigh
Proximal: anterior superior iliac spine
Distal: superior part of medial surface of tibia
Innervation: Femoral nerve
Action: flexes, abducts, lateral rotation thigh at hip; flexes leg at knee joint (cross-leg position)
Rectus Femoris
Proximal: anterior inferior iliac spine; above acetabulum
Distal: via quadriceps tendon at base of patella
Innervation: Femoral nerve
Action: extends knee joint; stabilizes hip joint
Vastus lateralis
Proximal: greater trochanter, lateral lip of linea aspera
Distal: quadriceps tendon at base of patella
Innervation: Femoral nerve
Action: extends knee joint
Vastus medialis
Proximal: intertrochantric line; medial lip of linea aspera
Distal: quadriceps tendon at base of patella
Innervation: Femoral nerve
Action: extends knee joint
Vastus intermedius
Proximal: anterior and lateral surfaces of shaft of femur
Distal: quadriceps tendon at base of patella
Innervation: Femoral nerve
Action: extends knee joint
Adductor longus
Proximal: body of pubis inferior to pubic crest
Distal: middle third of linea aspera of femur
Innervation: Obturator nerve
Action: adducts thigh (astride horse)
Adductor brevis
Proximal: body and inferior ramus of pubis
Distal: pectineal line and proximal linea aspera
Innervation: Obturator nerve
Action: adducts thigh
Adductor magnus
Proximal: adductor part- inferior ramus of pubis and ramus of ischium; hamstrung part- ischial tuberosity
Distal: adductor part- gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera, medial supracondylar line; hamstring part- adductor tubercle of femur
Innervation: add- Obturator nerve; ham- Sciatic nerve
Action: adducts hip joint, flexion and extension (hamstring part) of hip joint
Gracilis
Proximal: body and inferior ramus of pubis
Distal: superior part of medial surface of tibia
Innervation: Obturator nerve
Action: Adducts hip joint, flexes leg
Obturator externus
Proximal: margins off Obturator foramen and Obturator membrane
Distal: trochantric fossa of femur
Innervation: Obturator nerve
Action: lateral rotation of hip joint, stabilize hip
Superficial layer of gluteal muscles
- Gluteus maximus
- Gluteus medius
- Gluteus minimus
- Tensor fascia latae
Gluteus Maximus
Largest and most superficial glueteal muscle
Proximal: posterior to posterior gluteal line; posterior surface of sacrum and coccyx; sacrotuberous ligament
Distal: iliotibial tract “IT band” which inserts into lateral condyle of tibia; gluteal tuberosity of femur
Innervation: inferior gluteal nerve
Action: extends hip joint; assist lateral rotation
Gluteus medius
Proximal: between anterior and posterior gluteal lines
Distal: lateral surface of greater trochanter
Innervation: superior gluteal nerve
Action: abduct and medial rotation of thigh; keep pelvis level when opposite leg is raised during walking
Gluteus minimus
Proximal: ilium between anterior and inferior lines
Distal: anterior surface of greater trochanter
Innervation: superior gluteal nerve
Action: abduct and medial rotation of thigh
Tensor fasciae latae
Proximal: ASIS; anterior part of iliac crest
Distal: iliotibial tract which attaches to lateral condyle of tibia
Innervation: superior gluteal nerve
Action: flexion of thigh
Piriformis
Passes through greater sciatic foramen
Proximal: anterior surface of 2nd-4th sacra segments; superior margin of greater sciatic notch; sacrotuberous ligament
Distal: superior border of greater trochanter
Innervation: anterior rami of S1, S2
Action: lateral rotation of extended thigh; abduction of flexes thigh; stabilize hip joint
Obturator internus
Passes through lesser sciatic foramen
Proximal: pelvic surface of ilium & ischium; Obturator membrane
Distal: medial surface of greater trochanter (90° bend)
Innervation: nerve to obturator internus
Action: laterally rotates extended thigh; abducts flexes thigh; stabilize hip
Superior and inferior gemelli
Proximal: superior from ischial spine and inferior from ischial tuberosity
Distal: medial surface of greater trochanter
Innervation: superior from nerve to obturator internus; inferior from nerve to quadratus femoris
Action: laterally rotates extended thigh; abducts flexes thigh; stabilizes hip joint
Quadratus femoris
Proximal: lateral border of ischial tuberosity
Distal: quadrate tubercle on intertrochantric crest
Innervation: nerve to quadratus femoris
Action: lateral rotation of thigh, stabilize hip joint
Semitendinosus
Proximal: ischial tuberosity
Distal: medial aspect of superior part of tibia
Innervation: tibial division of sciatic nerve
Action: extend thigh; flex leg and rotate medially when knee is flexes; when thigh and leg are flexed can extend trunk
Semimembranosus
Proximal: ischial tuberosity
Distal: posterior part of medial condyle of tibia
Innervation: tibial division of sciatic nerve
Action: extend thigh; flex leg and rotate it medially when knee is flexed; when thigh and leg are flexed can extend trunk
Biceps femoris, long & short head
Proximal: long head- ischial tuberosity; short head- linea aspera
Distal: lateral side of fibula
Innervation: long- tibial division of sciatic nerve; short- common fibular division of sciatic nerve
Action: flexes leg and lateral rotation when knee is flexed; extends thigh (when start to walk)
Femoral triangle boundaries
Superiorly: inguinal ligaments
Medially: adductor longus
Laterally: sartorius
Apex: crossing of medial border of sartorius and lateral border of adductor longus
Floor: iliopsoas and pectineus
Roof: fascia lata, cribriform fascia, subcutaneous tissue and skin
Femoral triangle contents
Femoral never Femoral artery Femoral vein Femoral canal Deep inguinal lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels
