Muscles of the Gluteus & Thigh Flashcards

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering muscles of the gluteal region, anterior thigh, medial thigh, posterior thigh, and their actions at the hip and knee joints.

Gluteus Maximus m. (Proximal Attachment)

Ilium, Sacrum, Coccyx

Gluteus Maximus m. (Distal Attachment)

Iliotibial Tract & Femur

Gluteus Maximus m. (Actions)

Extension @ Hip; Assists with Lateral Rotation @ Hip

Gluteus Medius m. (Attachments)

Proximal: Ilium; Distal: Femur (Greater Trochanter)

Gluteus Medius m. (Actions)

Abduct @ Hip; Stabilize the Hip Joint/Pelvis when contralateral leg is raised

Gluteus Minimus m. (Actions)

Abduct @ Hip; Stabilize the Hip Joint/Pelvis when contralateral leg is raised (Same as Gluteus Medius)

Piriformis m. (Attachments & Action)

Proximal: Sacrum; Distal: Femur (Greater Trochanter); Action: Lateral Rotation @ Hip

Tensor of Fascia Lata m. (Proximal Attachment)

Ilium (Near ASIS)

Tensor of Fascia Lata m. (Actions @ Hip)

Abduction, Flexion, and Stabilize when standing

Thigh Compartments Definition

3 compartments (Anterior, Medial, Posterior) defined by the Fascia Lata surrounding each respective group of thigh muscles

Iliopsoas m. (Proximal Attachments)

Lumbar Vertebrae (Psoas Major) and Ilium (Iliac Crest & Fossa) (Iliacus)

Iliopsoas m. (Distal Attachment & Action)

Distal: Femur (Lesser Trochanter); Action: Primary Flexor @ Hip

Sartorius m. (Attachments)

Proximal: Ilium (ASIS); Distal: Tibia

Sartorius m. (Actions)

Flexion @ Hip and Flexion @ Knee

Rectus Femoris m. (Proximal Attachment)

Ilium (AIIS)

Rectus Femoris m. (Actions)

Assists in flexion (maintain flexion) @ Hip; Extends Leg @ Knee

Vastus Lateralis m. (Proximal Attachment)

Femur (Greater Trochanter & Linea Aspera)

Vastus Medialis m. (Proximal Attachment)

Femur (Linea Aspera)

Vastus Intermedius m. (Proximal Attachment)

Femur (anterior surface)

Quadriceps Femoris (Common Distal Attachment & Knee Action)

Distal: Patella/ Tibial Tuberosity; Action on Tibia: Extension @ Knee

Gracilis m. (Attachments & Actions)

Proximal: Pubis; Distal: Tibia; Actions: Adduction @ Hip and Flexion @ Knee

Adductor Longus m. (Attachments & Action)

Proximal: Pubis; Distal: Femur (Linea Aspera); Action: Adduction @ hip

Pectineus m. (Actions)

Adduction @ hip and assists in flexion @ hip

Adductor Brevis m. (Attachments & Action)

Proximal: Pubis; Distal: Femur (Linea Aspera); Action: Adduction @ hip

Adductor Magnus m. (Adductor Component)

Proximal: Pubis & Ischium; Distal: Femur (Linea Aspera); Action: Adduction @ hip

Adductor Magnus m. (Hamstring Component)

Proximal: Ischium (Ischial Tuberosity); Distal: Femur (Adductor Tubercle on Medial Epicondyle); Action: Extension @ hip

Semitendinosus m. & Semimembranosus m. (Attachments)

Proximal: Ischium (Ischial Tuberosity); Distal: Tibia

Semitendinosus m. & Semimembranosus m. (Actions)

Extension @ hip and Flexion @ Knee

Biceps Femoris m. Long Head (Attachments)

Proximal: Ischium (Ischial Tuberosity); Distal: Fibula

Biceps Femoris m. Long Head (Actions)

Extension @ hip and Flexion @ Knee

Biceps Femoris m. Short Head (Attachments & Action)

Proximal: Femur (Linea Aspera); Distal: Fibula; Action: Flexion @ Knee

"G.A.P." Mnemonic

Focal point for Medial Thigh muscles layer 1: Gracilis, Adductor Longus, & Pectineus

"I-S" Mnemonic

Focal points for Anterior Thigh flexors: Iliopsoas & Sartorius

Posterior Thigh Focal Points (Positioning)

Semi's "drive" (proceed) medially; 2 heads of Biceps femoris are lateral

Primary Knee Extensors

Quadriceps femoris muscles: Rectus femoris, Vastus lateralis, Vastus intermedius, and Vastus medialis