Lower Leg Muscles

Sartorius Origin

Sartorius Origin

Anterior superior iliac spine

Sartorius Insertion

Anteromedial surface of upper tibia

Sartorius Action

Flexes and laterally rotates thigh, flexes leg

Pectineus

Adduct and flexes thigh

Adductor brevis

Adducts and flexes thigh

Adductor longus

Adducts and flexes thigh

Adductor magnus

adducts thigh;
Adductor part flexes thigh;
Hamstring part extends and laterally rotate thigh

Gracilis

Adducts and flexes

Gluteus Maximus

Extends and laterally rotates thigh

gluteus medius

Abducts and medially rotates thigh; stabilizes pelvis during walking

Gluteus minimus

Abducts and medially rotates thigh; stabilizes pelvis during walking

Piriformis

Laterally rotates thigh

Tensor fascia latae

abducts and medially rotates thigh

Rectus femoris Origin

Anterior inferior iliac spine

Rectus femoris Insertion

quadriceps tendon to patella; patellar ligament to tibial tuber

Rectus femoris Action

Extends leg; flexes thigh

Vastus Intermedius Insertion

Quadriceps tendon patella; patellar ligament to tibial tuberosity

Vastus Intermedius Action

Extends leg

Vastus medialis Insertion

Quadriceps tendon patella; patellar ligament to tibial tuberosity

Vastus Medialis Action

Extends leg

Vastus lateralis Insertion

Quadriceps tendon patella; patellar ligament to tibial tuberosity

Vastus lateralis Action

Extends leg

Biceps Femoris Origin

long head - ischial tuberosity of os coxae; short head - linea aspera of femur

Biceps Femoris Action

Flexes and laterally rotates leg; Long head: extends thigh

Semitendinosus Origin

Ischial tuberosity

Semitendinosus Action

Extends thigh; flexes and medially rotates leg

Semimembranosus Origin

ischial tuberosity

Semimembranosus Action

Extends thigh; flexes and medially rotates leg

Tibialis anterior

dorsiflexes and inverts foot

Extensor hallucis longus

extends great toe; dorsiflexes foot

Extensor digitorum longus (leg)

extends toes 2-5; dorsiflexes foot

Fibularis (peroneus) longus

Everts foot; weak plantar flexor

Fibularis (peroneus) brevis

Everts foot; weak plantar flexor

Gastrocnemius Origin

Lateral and medial condyles of femur

Gastrocnemius Insertion

Calcaneus (via calcaneal tendon)

Gastrocnemius Action

flexes leg, plantar flexes foot

Soleus Origin

Head and proximal shaft of fibula; medial border of tibia

Soleus Insertion

calcaneus via calcaneal tendon

Soleus Action

plantar flexes foot

Plantaris

Weak leg flexor and plantar flexor

Tibialis posterior

plantar flexes foots; inverts foot

Flexor digitorum longus

Plantar flexes foot; flexes MP, PIP, DIP joints of toes 2-5

Flexor hallucis longus

Plantar flexes foot; flexes MP and IP joints of great toe

Popliteus

Flexes leg; medially rotates tibia to unlock the knee