MAIN: Lower-Limb Muscle Flashcards: Origins, Insertions, and Innervations

Vocabulary flashcards detailing the anatomical origins, insertions, and innervations for the major muscles of the gluteal region, thigh, leg, and foot, along with key mnemonics.

Gluteus maximus

Origin: Posterior ilium, dorsal sacrum/coccyx, sacrotuberous ligament. Insertion: Iliotibial tract and gluteal tuberosity. Innervation: Inferior gluteal nerve (L5–S2). I of SIPPS, 512.

3 Glu(e) Ten PiSO IQ

ACTION: Hip EXTENSION premier

Pnemonic for Sacral Plexus

SIPPS or SqIoPPS to include other nerves

Superior Gluteal Nerve (451, shares this with Quadratus Femoris)

Inferior Gluteal Nerve (and Obturator INTERNUS shares 512)

Posterior Cutaneous Nerve of Thigh (S1-3 cus 123)

Pupendal Nerve (S2-4 cus 234)

Sciatic Nerve (SPECIAL, is 345, BUT is S3 - L5 meaning L4, L5 and S1 to S3 are included)

• Sciatic nerve includes Common Fibular and Tibial Nerve

Innervates 3 Glu(e) Ten PiSO IQ (with I of SIPPS for SO and first S of SIPPS for IQ) EXCEPT for Piriformis, which is only S1 and S2

Pnemonic for Lumbar Plexus and how many nerves they each have

Foundation: Nerves L1 to L4

Lumbar Plexus: I twice get laid on fridays (Both Is are alphaetical order)

Iliohypogastric (L1)

Ilioinguinal (L1)

Genitofemoral (L1-L2)

Lateral Femoral Cutaneous nerve (L2-L3)

Obturator Nerve (L2-L4 BROTHER)

Femoral Nerve (L2-L4 BROTHER)

(note how for the next pnemonic, Its L1 three times, then L2 3 times)

2 from 1, 2 from 2 and 2 from 3

Meaning 2 nerves that are just one, 2 nerves that have 2 and 2 nerves that have 3

Pnemonic for GLuteal Muscles

3 Glu(e) Ten PiSO IQ
Gluteus Maximus, medius and minimus, then tensor fascia latae, 1st is Inferior GLuteal, then MedMin Ten are Superior Gluteal nerve, both from SIPPS

Pi is Piriformis, Special for being S1 and S2 anterior rami

SO is Superior gemelli and obturator internus, both have nerve to Obturator Internus, a BROTHER to the I of SqIoPPS (aka inferior gluteal nerve L5-S2 512)

IQ = Inferior Gemelli and Quadratus Femoris, nerve = Nerve to Quadratus Femoris, BROTHER to first S os SqIoPPS, aka 451 L4 to S1

Pnemonic for Anterior Thigh Muscles

PIS(s)Q

Pectineus (Unique for adducting in this group)

Iliopsoas (Iliacus + Psoas Major, majro hip flexor, Psoas Major is UNIQUE for L1-L3 instead of the rest being L2-L4)

Sartorius (Dhalsim, L2-L4 Common)

Quadriceps Femoris (Includes Rectus Femoris HIP FLEXOR and KNEE EXTENSOR, and vastus lateralis medialis knee extenders and patellas)

Pnemonic for Medial Thigh Muscles

Ah Ah Ah GO (Nerve: Obturator O of AMPFOS, remember F Femoral and O Obturator are BUDDIES L2-L4)

Adductor Longus

Adductor Brevis

Adductor Magnus

Gracilis, Adbucts

Obturator Externus, Rotates laterally

Pnemonic for Posterior Thigh Muscles

SeT SeM Bi (Sciatic nerve, last S of SIPPS aka L4-S3 cus reverse 345)

Semi tendinous

Semi Membranous

Biceps Femoris

ACTION: EXTEND Hip

Pnemonic for Nerves of the Hips

FOSSI
FOS of AmpFos then the first SI of SIPPS are here

So you have the L2-L4 brothers of femoral and obturator nerve, and the Sciatic being the L4-S3 weirdo (reverse of 345 S3 to L4)

Then the superior gluteal nerve 451 L4-S1, with its QuadRATUS femoris nerve cousin, (SqIoPPS) and the Inferior Gluteal nerve with is Cousin Obturator INTERNUS of 512 L5 to S2

Quadratus femoris vs Quadriceps Femoris

QuadRATus femoris is a singular RAT aka the single muscle in the 3 Glu Ten Pi SO IQ q letter,

QuadriCEPS femoris is like biceps but except it’s the group of 4 anterior muscles found in PISQ Q

Femoral Triangle Base, Lateral, Medial and Floor?

Superior base Inguinal Ligament

Lateral Sartorius

Medial Adductor Longus

Floor Iliopsoas + Pectineus)

Pnemonic for Femoral triangle

SAIL PI

Sartorius (Lateral)
Adductor longus (Medial)

Iliopsoas (Floor)

Pectineus (Floor)
Inguinal Ligament ( Base)

Gluteus medius

Origin: External ilium between anterior and posterior gluteal lines. Insertion: Lateral greater trochanter. Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1). ACTION: Hip MEDIAL rotation and Abduction

Gluteus minimus

Origin: External ilium between anterior and inferior gluteal lines. Insertion: Anterior greater trochanter. Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1). ACTION: Hip MEDIAL Rotation and Abduction

Tensor fasciae latae

Origin: ASIS and anterior iliac crest. Insertion: Iliotibial tract to Gerdy’s tubercle. Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1). Action: Abduction + Medial Rotation + MAINLY Tenses IT Band

Piriformis

Origin: Anterior sacrum. Insertion: Superior border of greater trochanter. Innervation: Nerve to piriformis (Branch of AntS1–S2). ACTION: Laterally Rotates EXTENDED Hip, Abducts FLEXED Hip (Dhalsim)

Obturator internus

Origin: Pelvic surface of obturator membrane/surrounding bone. Insertion: Medial greater trochanter. Innervation: Nerve to obturator internus (L5–S2). Action: Laterally Rotates EXTENDED Hip, Abducts FLEXED Hip

Superior gemellus

Origin: Ischial spine. Insertion: With obturator internus tendon to medial greater trochanter. Innervation: Nerve to obturator internus (L5–S2). Action: Laterally Rotates EXTENDED Hip, Abducts FLEXED Hip

Inferior gemellus

Origin: Ischial tuberosity. Insertion: With obturator internus tendon to medial greater trochanter. Innervation: Nerve to quadratus femoris (L4–S1). Action: Laterally Rotates EXTENDED Hip, Abducts FLEXED Hip

Quadratus femoris

Origin: Lateral ischial tuberosity. Insertion: Quadrate tubercle/intertrochanteric crest. Innervation: Nerve to quadratus femoris (L4–S1). Action: Laterally Rotates EXTENDED Hip, Abducts FLEXED Hip

Obturator externus

Origin: External obturator membrane/surrounding bone. Insertion: Trochanteric fossa. Innervation: Obturator nerve, usually posterior division (L3–L4). Medial Thigh Compartment.

Action: LATERALLY Rotates Hip.

Iliacus

Origin: Iliac fossa and ala of sacrum. Insertion: Lesser trochanter via iliopsoas tendon. Innervation: Femoral nerve (L2–L3).

Main Action: FLEXION, part of iliopsoas.

Psoas major

Origin: T12–L5 vertebral bodies/discs and transverse processes. Insertion: Lesser trochanter via iliopsoas tendon. Innervation: Anterior rami L1–L3. The NERVE EXCEPTION of the Anterior Hip Muscles

Action: MAJOR Hip Flexor

Sartorius

Origin: ASIS. Insertion: Superior medial tibia (pes anserinus). Innervation: Femoral nerve (L2–L3). Since Anterior Thigh, AMPFOS = Femoral nerve ie L2-L4 but not L4.

Action: Lateral rotates Hip, Abducts and Flexes Hip, Flexes Knee (Dhalsim!)

Rectus femoris

Origin: AIIS and ilium superior to acetabulum. Insertion: Patella via quadriceps tendon, then tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament. Innervation: Femoral nerve (L2–L4).
A F Of AMPFOS

Action: FLEX Hip (Assists Iliopsoas), EXTEND Knee

Vastus lateralis

Origin: Greater trochanter and lateral linea aspera. Insertion: Patella, then tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament. Innervation: Femoral nerve (L2–L4). AMPFOS

Action: EXTENDS Knee, stabilises patella

Vastus medialis

Origin: Intertrochanteric line and medial linea aspera. Insertion: Patella, then tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament. Innervation: Femoral nerve (L2–L4). AMPFOS

Action: EXTENDS Knee, stabilises Patella

Vastus intermedius

Origin: Anterior/lateral femoral shaft. Insertion: Patella, then tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament. Innervation: Femoral nerve (L2–L4). AMPFOS.

Action: Knee EXTENSION Only

Pectineus

Origin: Pecten pubis/superior pubic ramus. Insertion: Pectineal line of femur. Innervation: Usually femoral nerve (L2–L3); variable obturator contribution.. PISQ. (Anterior) and AMPFOS.

Action: Adduction

Adductor longus

Origin: Body of pubis. Insertion: Middle third of linea aspera. Innervation: Obturator nerve, anterior division (L2–L4).

Adductor brevis

Origin: Body/inferior ramus of pubis. Insertion: Pectineal line and proximal linea aspera. Innervation: Obturator nerve (usually anterior division, L2–L4).

Adductor magnus

Origin: Adductor part—pubic/ischial rami; hamstring part—ischial tuberosity. Insertion: Linea aspera, medial supracondylar line, adductor tubercle. Innervation: Adductor part—obturator (L2–L4); hamstring part—tibial sciatic division (L4).

Gracilis

Origin: Body/inferior ramus of pubis. Insertion: Superior medial tibia (pes anserinus). Innervation: Obturator nerve (L2–L3).

Action: Adduction, just like the others in Ah Ah Ah GO

Semitendinosus

Origin: Ischial tuberosity. Insertion: Superior medial tibia (pes anserinus). Innervation: Tibial division of sciatic nerve (L5–S2).

ACTION: Extends Hip

GROUP PNEMONIC: SeT, SeM, Bi

Semimembranosus

Origin: Ischial tuberosity. Insertion: Posterior medial tibial condyle. Innervation: Tibial division of sciatic nerve (L5–S2).

Biceps femoris, long head

Origin: Ischial tuberosity. Insertion: Head of fibula. Innervation: Tibial division of sciatic nerve (L5–S2).

LONG HEAD SPECIFICALLY Extends Hip

Biceps femoris, short head

Origin: Linea aspera/lateral supracondylar line. Insertion: Head of fibula. Innervation: Common fibular division of sciatic nerve (L5–S2).

SHORT HEAD SPECIFICALLY: Flex Knee + LATERALLY rotates knee when knee flexed (The reverse anime girl sit, where the legs go out instead of in)

Pnemonic for Anterior Leg (Lower leg) Muscles

TEEF

Tibialis Anterior (Dorsiflexion duh position and Inversion)

Extensor Hallucis Longus (Extends big toe)

Extensor Digitorum Longus (Extends digits 2-5)

Fibularis Tertius (Dorsiflexion and Eversion)

NERVE: Deep Fibular Nerve

Pnemonic for Lateral Leg Muscles

FF
Fibularis Longus

Fibularis Brevis

NERVE: Superficial Fibular
ACTION: Eversion (Position. It makes sense)

Pnemonic for Superficial Posterior Leg Muscles

GSP

Gastrocnemius

Soleus

Plantaris

NERVE: Tibial Nerve

ACTION: Plantarflexion (Makes sense positionally)

Pnemonic for Deep Posterior Leg Muscles

PoTiFF
1. Popliteus

2. Tibial Posterior

PoT = Plantarflexion

3. Flexor Hallucis Longus (Flexes Big Toe)

4. Flexor Digitorum Longus (Flexes digits 2-5)
   
   

Nerve for ALL: Tibial Nerve

Pnemonic for Foot Muscles

A FAP Do

1. Abductor Hallucis (Abducts Great toe)

2. Flexor Digitorum Brevis (Flexes toes 2-5)

NERVE of AF: Medial plantar

3. Abductor Digiti Minimi (Abducts small toe)

4. Plantar Interossei (Adducts + Flexes toes 3-5)

5. Dorsal Interossei (Abducts and flexes toes 2-4)

Nerve for 3 4 and 5: APD: LATERAL Plantar Nerve

Tibialis anterior

Origin: Lateral tibial condyle/superior lateral tibia and interosseous membrane. Insertion: Medial cuneiform and base of first metatarsal. Innervation: Deep fibular nerve (L4–L5).

Extensor hallucis longus

Origin: Middle anterior fibula and interosseous membrane. Insertion: Distal phalanx of great toe. Innervation: Deep fibular nerve (L5–S1).

Extensor digitorum longus

Origin: Lateral tibial condyle, anterior fibula and interosseous membrane. Insertion: Extensor expansions of toes 2–5. Innervation: Deep fibular nerve (L5–S1).

Fibularis tertius

Origin: Distal anterior fibula/interosseous membrane. Insertion: Dorsum of base of fifth metatarsal. Innervation: Deep fibular nerve (L5–S1).

Fibularis longus

Origin: Head/superior lateral fibula. Insertion: Plantar medial cuneiform and base of first metatarsal. Innervation: Superficial fibular nerve (L5–S2).

Fibularis brevis

Origin: Inferior lateral fibula. Insertion: Tuberosity at base of fifth metatarsal. Innervation: Superficial fibular nerve (L5–S2).

Gastrocnemius

Origin: Medial and lateral femoral condyles. Insertion: Posterior calcaneus via calcaneal tendon. Innervation: Tibial nerve (S1–S2).

Soleus

Origin: Soleal line/posterior proximal tibia, head/proximal fibula and tendinous arch. Insertion: Posterior calcaneus via calcaneal tendon. Innervation: Tibial nerve (S1–S2).

Plantaris

Origin: Inferior lateral supracondylar line of femur and oblique popliteal ligament. Insertion: Posterior calcaneus, often near calcaneal tendon. Innervation: Tibial nerve (S1–S2).

Popliteus

Origin: Lateral femoral condyle and lateral meniscus. Insertion: Posterior tibia above soleal line. Innervation: Tibial nerve (L4–S1).

Tibialis posterior

Origin: Posterior tibia/fibula and interosseous membrane. Insertion: Mainly navicular; also cuneiforms, cuboid and bases of metatarsals 2–4. Innervation: Tibial nerve (L4–L5).

Flexor digitorum longus

Origin: Posterior tibia inferior to soleal line. Insertion: Distal phalanges of toes 2–5. Innervation: Tibial nerve (L5–S2).

Flexor hallucis longus

Origin: Inferior posterior fibula/interosseous membrane. Insertion: Distal phalanx of great toe. Innervation: Tibial nerve (S2–S3).

Extensor digitorum brevis

Origin: Superolateral calcaneus and inferior extensor retinaculum. Insertion: Extensor tendons/expansions to toes 2–4. Innervation: Deep fibular nerve (L5–S1).

Extensor hallucis brevis

Origin: Superolateral calcaneus. Insertion: Base of proximal phalanx of great toe. Innervation: Deep fibular nerve (L5–S1).

Abductor hallucis

Origin: Medial calcaneal tuberosity, flexor retinaculum/plantar aponeurosis. Insertion: Medial base of proximal phalanx of great toe. Innervation: Medial plantar nerve (S2–S3).

Flexor digitorum brevis

Origin: Medial calcaneal tuberosity and plantar aponeurosis. Insertion: Middle phalanges of toes 2–5. Innervation: Medial plantar nerve (S2–S3).

Abductor digiti minimi

Origin: Calcaneal tuberosity and plantar aponeurosis. Insertion: Lateral base of proximal phalanx of fifth toe. Innervation: Lateral plantar nerve (S2–S3).

Quadratus plantae

Origin: Medial/lateral calcaneus. Insertion: Tendon of flexor digitorum longus. Innervation: Lateral plantar nerve (S2–S3).

Lumbricals (foot)

Origin: Tendons of flexor digitorum longus. Insertion: Medial sides of extensor expansions toes 2–5. Innervation: First—medial plantar; 2–4—lateral plantar (S2–S3).

Flexor hallucis brevis

Origin: Plantar cuboid/lateral cuneiform region and tibialis posterior tendon (descriptions vary). Insertion: Both sides of proximal phalanx of great toe via sesamoids. Innervation: Medial plantar nerve (S2–S3).

Adductor hallucis

Origin: Oblique head—bases metatarsals 2–4; transverse head—plantar MTP ligaments 3–5/deep transverse ligament. Insertion: Lateral base of proximal phalanx of great toe. Innervation: Deep lateral plantar nerve (S2–S3).

Flexor digiti minimi brevis

Origin: Base of fifth metatarsal and fibularis longus tendon sheath. Insertion: Base of proximal phalanx of fifth toe. Innervation: Superficial lateral plantar nerve (S2–S3).

Plantar interossei (PAD)

Origin: Medial sides of metatarsals 3–5. Insertion: Medial bases of proximal phalanges/extensor expansions toes 3–5. Innervation: Deep lateral plantar nerve (S2–S3). Action: Plantar ADduct.

Dorsal interossei (DAB)

Origin: Adjacent sides of metatarsals. Insertion: First to medial side of toe 2; others to lateral bases toes 2–4. Innervation: Deep lateral plantar nerve (S2–S3). Action: Dorsal ABduct.

Pes anserinus

An insertion site on the superior medial tibia shared by three muscles: Sartorius, Gracilis, and Semitendinosus (remembered by 'Say Grace before Tea').