Posterior Muscles & Structures- Cedarville University

Achilles Tendon (Calcaneal tendon)

attaches the gastrocnemius muscle to the heel bone

Plantar Fascia (plantar aponeurosis)

A strong ligament that holds the tarsal bones in an arch and gives you a spring in your step when you walk.

Popliteal fossa

the hollow at the back of the knee

Sciatic Nerve

nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot

thoracolumbar fascia

sheet of connective tissue on lower portion of the back

biceps femoris

extends thigh and flexes leg

erector spinae

prime mover of back extension

Flexor Digitorum Longus

flexes toes

Flexor Hallucis longus

tibial nerve

Gastrocnemius

Calf muscle

Gluteus Maximus

extends thigh

Gluteus Medius

abducts and medially rotates thigh

Gluteus Minimus

abducts and medially rotates thigh

Infraspinatus

rotates arm laterally

Latissimus Dorsi

Extends, adducts, and medially rotates the arm; draws the shoulder downward and backward

Levator scapulae

elevates and adducts scapula

Piriformis

laterally rotates and abducts thigh

Quadratus Lumborum (QL)

attaches from the pelvis to the sides of the lumbar spine and the lowest rib. Spinal lateral flexion

Rhomboid Major

adducts scapula

Rhomboid Minor

adducts scapula

Semimembranosus

Flexes leg at the knee and extends thigh at the hip; belongs to the hamstring group

Semitendinosus

Flexes leg at the knee and extends thigh at the hip; belongs to the hamstring group

Soleus

plantar flexes foot

Subcapularis

rotates arm medially

Supraspinatus

Abducts arm; stabilizes the head of the humerus in glenoid cavity; one of the "rotator cuff" muscles

Teres Major

extends, adducts, and medially rotates arm

Teres Minor

rotates arm laterally

Tibialis Posterior

Plantar flexion and inversion of foot

Trapezius

Elevates, depresses, retracts, and rotates the scapula; rotates the arm

Triceps Brachii

extends forearm at elbow