Muscles of the Lower Limb

Question 1

Gluteus Maximus

Answer 1

Gluteus Maximus
Origin: iliac crest, sacrum, coccyx and sacrospinalis ligament
Insertion: iliotibial tract and gluteal tuberosity of femur
Action: upper part abduction and laterally rotates the thigh; lower part extends and laterally rotates thigh

Question 2

Piriformis

Answer 2

Piriformis
Origin: internal surface of sacrum and sacrotuberous ligament
Insertion: greater trochanter
Action: laterally rotates and abducts thigh

Question 3

Adductor Longus

Answer 3

Adductor Longus
Origin: anterior body of pubis
Insertion: medial lip of linea aspera
Action: adducts thigh

Question 4

Gracilis

Answer 4

Gracilis
Origin: body and inferior ramus of pubis
Insertion: superior medial shaft of tibia (at pes anserinus)
Action: adducts thigh at hip joint and flexes leg at knee joint

Question 5

Sartorius

Answer 5

Sartorius
Origin: anterior superior iliac spine
Insertion: superior medial shaft of tibia (at pes anserinus)
Action: flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates thigh

Question 6

Rectus Femoris

Answer 6

Rectus Femoris
Origin: anterior inferior iliac spine
Insertion: patella via quadriceps tendon; then to tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
Action: extends leg at the knee joint; assists hip flexion

Question 7

What are the four muscles in the quadriceps?

Answer 7

Rectus femoris
Vastus Lateralis
Vastus Medialis
Vastum Intermedius

Question 8

What muscle flexes the thigh?

Answer 8

Rectus Femoris

Question 9

What muscle aids in knee and hip flexion?

Answer 9

Sartorius

Question 10

What is the tensor fasciae latae?

Answer 10

Braces the knee when opposite foot is lifted.

Question 11

Biceps Femoris

Answer 11

Biceps Femoris
Origin: long head = ischial tuberosity; short head = linea aspera
Insertion: head of fibula and lateral condyle of tibia
Action: flexes leg and knee joint; assists in hip extension

Question 12

Semitendinosus

Answer 12

Semitendinosus
Origin: ischial tuberosity
Insertion: superior medial shaft of tibia (at pes anserinus)
Action: flexes and slightly medially rotates leg at knee, and extends thigh at hip

Question 13

Tibialis Anterior

Answer 13

Tibialis Anterior
Origin: lateral condyle and body of tibia, interosseous membrane
Insertion: first metatarsal and medial cuneiform
Action: dorsiflexion at ankle and foot inversion

Question 14

Gastrocnemius

Answer 14

Gastrocnemius
Origin: medial and lateral condyles of femur
Insertion: calcaneus via tendocalcaneus (Achilles’) tendon
Action: plantar flexion and assists in knee flexion