2.6 Muscles of the Pelvic Limb: Caudal Muscles of the Thigh

Caudal Muscles of the Thigh

Biceps femoris

Semitendinosus

Semimembranosus

Caudal crural abductor

name the Caudal Muscles of the Thigh (4)

Biceps femoris

• largest and most lateral of the caudal thigh muscle. It arises from ischiatic tuberosity extending distally on the lateral side of the thigh and inserts on patella, tibia, and calcanean tuber thus crossing the hip, stifle, and tarsal joints.

• Origin: sacrotuberous ligament and ischiatic tuberosity

• Insertion: fascia lata

• Action: to extend the hip, stifle, and hock

• Innervation: Sciatic nerve

Semitendinosus

• the long hamstring muscle forming the caudal border of the thigh.

• It extends from the ischiatic tuberosity to the tibia and on the calcanean tuber by the calcanean tendon.

• Origin: ischiatic tuberosity

• Insertion: tibia and tuber calcanei

• Action: to extend the hip and hock

• Innervation:Sciatic nerve

Semimembranosus

• most medial hamstring muscle;

• it splits into two bellies which arch medially to insert on the stifle;

• one belly is on the femur while the other belly is on the tibia

• Origin: ischiatic tuberosity

• Insertion: proximal end of femur

• Action: to extend the hip

• Innervation: Sciatic nerve

Caudal crural abductor

• ribbon-like muscle in dogs, lies on the deep face of the biceps femoris.

• strap-like “fire hydrant” muscle located deep to the biceps femoris in carnivores

• Origin: aponeurosis of biceps femoris

• Insertion: crural fascia

• Action: to abduct the limb

• Innervation: Sciatic nerve