Muscles of the Lower Limb

Gluteus maximus

Lateroposterior surface of sacrum and coccyx, gluteal surface of ilium (behind posterior gluteal line), thoracolumbar fascia, Sacrotuberous ligament

insert onto the iliotibial tract and gluteal tuberosity of the femur

extension, external rotation, abduction and adduction of the thigh

Gluteus medius

on the outer surface of the ilium between the iliac crest and the posterior gluteal line above, and the anterior gluteal line below

broad insertion from the gluteal surface of ilium.

prime mover of abduction at hip joint

Gluteus minimus

Gluteal surface of ilium (between anterior and inferior gluteal lines)

at the anterolateral aspect of the greater trochanter of the femur

predominantly acts as a hip stabilizer and abductor of the hip

Iliopsoas

the psoas major portion originating from the twelfth thoracic and all five lumbar vertebrae, and the iliacus portion arising mainly from the iliac fossa of the pelvis

the lesser trochanter of femur

assists in external rotation of the hip joint

Adductor muscles

originates from the anterior surface of the body of the pubis, inferior to pubic crest and lateral to the pubic symphysis

originates from the anterior surface of the body of the pubis, inferior to pubic crest and lateral to the pubic symphysis. It inserts onto the middle third of the medial lip of the linea aspera

adduct the thigh at the hip joint

Quadriceps

originate at the ilium (upper part of the pelvis, or hipbone) and femur (thighbone)

tibial tubercle

to extend the leg at the knee joint and to flex the thigh at the hip joint

Rectus femoris

Originates from the anterior inferior iliac spine and the ilium of the pelvis

inserts onto the patella via the quadriceps femoris tendon

flex the thigh at the hip joint and to extend the leg at the knee joint.

Vastus lateralis

originates from the greater trochanter and the lateral lip of linea aspera of femur

inserts on the lateral aspect of the patella, and terminally insert on the tibial tuberosity via the patellar tendon

work with the other quad muscles to help extend your knee joint

Vastus Medialis

originates from the upper part of the femoral shaft

inserts as a flattened tendon into the quadriceps femoris tendon (which inserts into the upper border of the patella)

extends the knee jointand it also contributes to correct tracking of the patella

Vastus Intermedius

originates from the anterior surface of the femur, more specifically from the proximal two-thirds of its shaft.

attaches to the base of patella via the common quadriceps tendon

facilitates knee extension

Hamstrings

Tuberosity of the ischium, linea aspera

the knee

extend the hip and flex the knee

Biceps femoris

a long head that originates from the ischial tuberosity and a short head that originates at the linea aspera of the femur

inserts at the lateral head of the fibula

thigh extension, knee flexion, and external rotation of both the hip and leg

Semitendinosus

Originates from the ischial tuberosity (more superiorly than the origin of the semitendinosus and biceps femoris)

Proximal tibia, medial to tibial tuberosity

flexes leg at knee, medially rotates leg at knee when knee is flexed, extends thigh at hip

Semimembranosus 

origin is the ischial tuberosity on the inferior pelvis

Medial condyle of tibia

Hip joint: thigh extension and internal rotation Knee joint: flexion and internal rotation of the leg Stabilizes pelvis

Sartorius

originates by a round tendon from the anterior superior iliac spine and the upper half of the notch between the anterior superior iliac spine and the anterior inferior iliac spine

the superior medial aspect of the tibial shaft, near the tibial tubercle

flexion, external rotation and abduction of the leg.

Gastrocnemius

originates from the epicondyle and the posterior surface of the medial condyle of the femur

originates from the bottom of the femur (thigh bone) above the knee joint and inserts via the Achilles tendon into the back of the heel

flexion of the leg at the knee joint and plantarflexion of the foot at the talocrural joint (ankle mortise).

Soleus

Soleal line, medial border of tibia, head of fibula, posterior border of fibula

insert onto the posterior surface of the calcaneus via the calcaneal tendon

To act as skeletal muscle

Tibialis anterior

begins at the distal one-third of the tibia

insert vertically on the medial cuneiform and the base of the first metatarsal

dorsiflexes the foot at the talocrural joint and inverts it at the subtalar joint