Posterior Lower Limb Muscles

Question 1

What are the posterior lower limb muscles?

Answer 1

• Gluteus maximus
• Hamstrings
• Gastrocnemius
• Soleus

Question 2

What are the three hamstring muscles?

Answer 2

• Semimembranosus
• Semitendinosis
• Biceps femoris

Question 3

What are the movements of gluteus maximus?

Answer 3

• Abduction, extension and lateral rotation of hip joint and thigh.
• Adduction of thigh.
• Stabilisation of hip joint and pelvis.

Question 4

What are the attachments of gluteus maximus?

Answer 4

• Origin: from gluteal surface of ilium, coccyx bone, thoracolumbar fascia, sacrotuberous ligament and sacrum.
• Inserts: into iliotibial tract and gluteal tuberosity of femur.

Question 5

What are the movements of semimembranosus?

Answer 5

• Extension and medial rotation of thigh.
• Flexion and medial rotation of leg.
• Pelvis stabilisation

Question 6

What are the attachments of semimembranosus?

Answer 6

• Origin: from superolateral insertion ischial tuberosity.

- Inserts: onto medial condyle of tibia

Question 7

What are the movements of semitendinosus?

Answer 7

• Extension and medial rotation of thigh.
• Flexion and medial rotation of leg.
• Pelvis stabilisation

Question 8

What are the attachments of semitendinosus?

Answer 8

• Origin: from posteromedial impression ischial tuberosity.

- Inserts: Proximal end of tibia below medial condyle of tibia

Question 9

What are the movements of biceps femoris?

Answer 9

• Extension and lateral rotation of thigh.

- Flexion and lateral rotation of leg.

Question 10

What are the attachments of biceps femoris?

Answer 10

Origin: from inferomedial impression of ischial tuberosity (long head) and linea aspera and lateral supracondylar line of femur (short head).
Inserts: into lateral aspect of head of fibula

Question 11

What are the movements of gastrocnemius?

Answer 11

• Flexion of knee joint and leg.

- Plantar flexion of talocrural joint

Question 12

What are the attachments of gastrocnemius?

Answer 12

• Origin: from lateral and medial epicondyles of femur.

- Inserts: onto calcaneal tuberosity

Question 13

What are the movements of soleus?

Answer 13

• Plantar flexion of talocrural joint

Question 14

What are the attachments of soleus?

Answer 14

• Origin: from head of fibula, soleal line of tibia, posterior border of fibula and medial border of tibia.
• Inserts: into calcaneal tuberosity.