Lower Extremity Muscles

What is the iliopsoas?

2 different muscles, psoas major and iliacus, that have a common insertion point.

What are the deep lateral rotators?

Composed of 6 different muscles that function as lateral femur rotators at the hip.

What is the gluteus maximus?

One of the largest muscles in the body. it extends to the thigh at the hip joint as well as laterally rotating it.

What is the gluteus medius?

This muscle adducts the thigh at the hip and medially rotates the thigh.

What are the name of the muscles that originate on the pelvis, insert on the femur, and abduct, flex, and medially roate the femur at the hip joint?

• Adductor magnus

• adductor brevis

• adductor longus

• prectineus

What is the name of the four different anterior extensor muscles?

Quadriceps femoris

• Vastus medialis

• vastus intermedius

• vastus lateralis

• rectus femoris

What is the longest muscle in the body?

The Satorius - “tailor’s muscle”

What muscle flexes and abducts the thigh at the hip joint?

The tensor fasciae latae

What muscle both abducts the thigh and flexes the leg at the knee?

Gracilis

Describe the hamstrings.

Tendons on 3 leg muscles that are long and string-like in the popliteal (behind the knee) region. These muscles span 2 joints, the hip and the knee.

Name the 3 muscles associated with the hamstrings.

• Semimembranosus

• Semitendinosus

• Biceps femoris

Which is a thick muscle is against the lateral surface of the tibia where it is easy to palpate?

Tibialis anterior - associated with “shin splints”

What muscle is located on the Lateral (Fibular) leg compartment?

Lateral fibular muscles