Lower Limb Muscle Anatomy and Actions

Flashcards testing knowledge of lower leg and thigh muscle compartments and their corresponding actions based on lecture diagrams.

The diagram above displays the leg muscle compartments: anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, and __________.

Deep posterior

The Tibialis anterior muscle is located in the anterior compartment and performs Inversion and __________.

Dorsiflexion

In the anterior compartment, the Extensor digitorum longus functions as an Extensor (toes) and assists in __________.

Dorsiflexion

The Extensor hallucis longus muscle in the anterior compartment functions as an Extensor and assists in __________.

Dorsiflexion

Both Fibularis longus and Fibularis brevis are located in the lateral compartment and perform __________.

Eversion

The three muscles belonging to the superficial posterior compartment of the leg are Gastrocnemius, Soleus, and __________.

Plantaris

The primary action of both Gastrocnemius and Soleus in the superficial posterior compartment is __________.

Plantarflexion

Located in the deep posterior compartment, the Tibialis posterior muscle performs Plantarflexion and __________.

Inversion

Both Flexor digitorum longus and Flexor hallucis longus in the deep posterior compartment carry out the action of __________.

Flexion (toes)

The diagram above outlines thigh muscles divided into anterior thigh, medial thigh (Adductor group), Quadriceps, and __________.

Posterior thigh muscles (hamstrings)

The Iliopsoas muscle acts as a Flexor and is composed of the Iliacus and __________.

Psoas major

The Sartorius muscle functions as a Flexor, specifically used when __________.

Crossing legs

The Tensor fasciae latae (TFL) functions as a Flexor, Abductor, and __________.

Medial rotator

Among the Quadriceps, the Rectus femoris acts as a Flexor (Hip) and an __________.

Extensor (Knee)

The three vastus muscles of the Quadriceps—Vastus lateralis, Vastus intermedius, and Vastus medialis—all perform the action of __________.

Extensor (knee)

In the medial thigh (Adductor group), Adductor magnus performs Adductor movements as well as acting as an __________.

Extensor

The Pectineus muscle in the medial thigh group performs Adductor movements and also acts as a __________.

Flexor

The posterior thigh muscles (hamstrings) consist of Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, and __________.

Biceps femoris

All three hamstring muscles (Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, and Biceps femoris) function as a __________.

Flexor (knee)

Identify the four major compartments of the leg shown in this diagram.

Anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, and deep posterior compartments

Identify the posterior thigh muscle group shown in this diagram.

Hamstrings (Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, Biceps femoris)

Which muscles belong to the superficial posterior compartment of the leg?

Gastrocnemius, Soleus, and Plantaris

Which muscles comprise the Quadriceps group in the anterior thigh?

Rectus femoris, Vastus lateralis, Vastus intermedius, and Vastus medialis

Which muscles make up the hamstrings (posterior thigh group)?

Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, and Biceps femoris

Which muscles belong to the deep posterior compartment of the leg?

Tibialis posterior, Flexor digitorum longus, and Flexor hallucis longus

Which muscles are contained within the lateral compartment of the leg?

Fibularis longus and Fibularis brevis

Which muscles belong to the Adductor group (medial thigh)?

Adductor brevis, Adductor longus, Adductor magnus, and Pectineus

What are the primary actions performed by the Tibialis anterior muscle?

Dorsiflexion and Inversion

What is the specific function associated with the Sartorius muscle?

Flexor (specifically used when crossing legs)

What are the three functional movements of the Tensor fasciae latae (TFL)?

Flexor, Abductor, and Medial rotator

What actions are performed by the Rectus femoris at the hip and knee joints?

Flexor (Hip) and Extensor (Knee)

What is the primary movement performed by the Fibularis longus and Fibularis brevis?

Eversion

What is the primary action shared by both the Gastrocnemius and Soleus muscles?

Plantarflexion

What functional action is common to all three Vastus muscles (lateralis, intermedius, medialis)?

Extensor (knee)

What dual actions are performed by the Pectineus muscle in the medial thigh?

Flexor and Adductor

Which Quadriceps muscle acts as both a hip flexor and knee extensor?

Rectus femoris

Which medial thigh muscle performs both adduction and extension?

Adductor magnus

Which muscle in the deep posterior compartment carries out plantarflexion and inversion?

Tibialis posterior

Which two muscles form the Iliopsoas complex?

Iliacus and Psoas major

Identify the four leg muscle compartments shown in this diagram.

Anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, and deep posterior compartments

Identify the posterior thigh muscle group shown in this diagram.

Hamstrings (Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, Biceps femoris)

Which muscles comprise the Quadriceps group in the anterior thigh?

Rectus femoris, Vastus lateralis, Vastus intermedius, and Vastus medialis

Which muscles make up the Hamstrings (posterior thigh group)?

Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, and Biceps femoris

Which muscles belong to the Adductor group (medial thigh)?

Adductor brevis, Adductor longus, Adductor magnus, and Pectineus

Which muscles belong to the superficial posterior compartment of the leg?

Gastrocnemius, Soleus, and Plantaris

Which muscles belong to the deep posterior compartment of the leg?

Tibialis posterior, Flexor digitorum longus, and Flexor hallucis longus

Which muscles are located in the anterior compartment of the leg?

Tibialis anterior, Extensor digitorum longus, and Extensor hallucis longus

Which muscles are contained within the lateral compartment of the leg?

Fibularis longus and Fibularis brevis

What are the primary actions performed by the Tibialis anterior muscle?

Dorsiflexion and Inversion

What is the specific function associated with the Sartorius muscle?

Flexor (specifically used when crossing legs)

What are the three functional movements of the Tensor fasciae latae (TFL)?

Flexor, Abductor, and Medial rotator

What actions are performed by the Rectus femoris at the hip and knee joints?

Flexor (Hip) and Extensor (Knee)

What functional action is common to all three Vastus muscles (lateralis, intermedius, medialis)?

Extensor (knee)

What dual actions are performed by the Pectineus muscle in the medial thigh?

Flexor and Adductor

What dual actions are performed by the Adductor magnus muscle?

Adductor and Extensor

What is the primary movement performed by the Fibularis longus and Fibularis brevis?

Eversion

What is the primary action shared by both the Gastrocnemius and Soleus muscles?

Plantarflexion

Which muscle in the deep posterior compartment carries out plantarflexion and inversion?

Tibialis posterior

What functional action is carried out by both Flexor digitorum longus and Flexor hallucis longus?

Flexion (toes)

Which two muscles combine to form the Iliopsoas complex?

Iliacus and Psoas major