Muscle Anatomy and Actions of the Lower Limb

These flashcards cover the muscles of the gluteal, thigh, leg, and their respective origins, insertions, and actions.

Gluteus maximus

Origin: Iliac crest; Insertion: Gluteal tuberosity / IT band; Action: Hip extension + lateral rotation.

Gluteus medius

Origin: Lateral ilium; Insertion: Greater trochanter; Action: Hip abduction.

Gluteus minimus

Origin: Lateral ilium; Insertion: Greater trochanter; Action: Hip abduction + medial rotation.

Piriformis

Origin: Sacrum; Insertion: Greater trochanter; Action: Lateral rotation.

Gemellus superior

Origin: Ischial spine; Insertion: Greater trochanter; Action: Lateral rotation.

Obturator internus

Origin: Obturator membrane; Insertion: Greater trochanter; Action: Lateral rotation.

Gemellus inferior

Origin: Ischial tuberosity; Insertion: Greater trochanter; Action: Lateral rotation.

Obturator externus

Origin: Obturator membrane; Insertion: Trochanteric fossa; Action: Lateral rotation.

Quadratus femoris

Origin: Ischial tuberosity; Insertion: Intertrochanteric crest; Action: Lateral rotation.

Sartorius

Origin: ASIS; Insertion: Anteromedial tibia (pes anserinus); Action: Hip flexion + lateral rotation + knee flexion.

Rectus femoris

Origin: AIIS; Insertion: Tibial tuberosity; Action: Hip flexion + knee extension.

Vastus lateralis

Origin: Greater trochanter; Insertion: Tibial tuberosity; Action: Knee extension.

Vastus intermedius

Origin: Femur; Insertion: Tibial tuberosity; Action: Knee extension.

Vastus medialis

Origin: Linea aspera; Insertion: Tibial tuberosity; Action: Knee extension.

Pectineus

Origin: Pubis; Insertion: Femur; Action: Adduction.

Adductor longus

Origin: Pubis; Insertion: Femur; Action: Adduction.

Adductor brevis

Origin: Pubis; Insertion: Femur; Action: Adduction.

Adductor magnus

Origin: Ischial tuberosity; Insertion: Linea aspera; Action: Adduction.

Gracilis

Origin: Pubis; Insertion: Anteromedial tibia; Action: Adduction + knee flexion.

Biceps femoris (long head)

Origin: Ischial tuberosity; Insertion: Head of fibula; Action: Hip extension + knee flexion.

Biceps femoris (short head)

Origin: Linea aspera; Insertion: Head of fibula; Action: Knee flexion.

Semitendinosus

Origin: Ischial tuberosity; Insertion: Anteromedial tibia; Action: Hip extension + knee flexion.

Semimembranosus

Origin: Ischial tuberosity; Insertion: Posteromedial tibia; Action: Hip extension + knee flexion.

Tibialis anterior

Origin: Tibia; Insertion: Medial cuneiform; Action: Dorsiflexion + inversion.

Extensor digitorum longus

Origin: Tibia/fibula; Insertion: Distal phalanges (2–5); Action: Extend toes.

Extensor hallucis longus

Origin: Fibula; Insertion: Distal phalanx (hallux); Action: Extend big toe.

Fibularis tertius

Origin: Fibula; Insertion: Base of 5th metatarsal; Action: Dorsiflexion + eversion.

Fibularis longus

Origin: Fibula; Insertion: Medial cuneiform + base MT1; Action: Eversion.

Fibularis brevis

Origin: Fibula; Insertion: Base MT5; Action: Eversion.

Gastrocnemius

Origin: Femoral condyles; Insertion: Calcaneus; Action: Plantarflexion + knee flexion.

Soleus

Origin: Tibia + fibula; Insertion: Calcaneus; Action: Plantarflexion.

Plantaris

Origin: Femur; Insertion: Calcaneus; Action: Weak plantarflexion.

Popliteus

Origin: Lateral femoral condyle; Insertion: Tibia; Action: Weak knee flexion.

Tibialis posterior

Origin: Tibia; Insertion: Tarsals; Action: Plantarflexion + inversion.

Flexor digitorum longus

Origin: Tibia; Insertion: Distal phalanges; Action: Flex toes.

Flexor hallucis longus

Origin: Fibula; Insertion: Distal phalanx (hallux); Action: Flex big toe.