Knee & Thigh Muscle Origin and Insertion

Sartorius Muscle Origin

anterior superor iliac spine

Sartorius Muscle Insertion

proximal tibia below medial condyle

Sartorius Muscle Action(s)

flex hip, externally rotate hip, flex knee, internally rotate knee

Gracilis Muscle Origin

body of pubis, inferior pubic and ischial rami

Gracilis Muscle Insertion

medial surface of proximal tibia

Gracilis Muscle Action(s)

flex hip, adduct hip, flex knee, internally rotate knee

Rectus Femoris Origin

anterior inferior spine and supraacetabular groove of ilium

Rectus Femoris Insertion

tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament

Rectus Femoris Action(s)

flex hip, extend knee

Vastus Medialis Origin

intertrochanteric line, pectineal line, linea aspera, and medial supracondylar line of femur

Vastus Medialis Insertion

tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament

Vastus Medialis Action(s)

extend knee

Vastus Intermedius Origin

anterior surface of femur

Vastus Intermedius Insertion

tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament

Vastus Intermedius Action(s)

extend knee

Adductor Magnus Origin

inferior rami of the pubis and the rami of ischium

Adductor Magnus Insertion

medial lip of the linea aspera; adductor tubercle of the femur

Adductor Magnus Adductor Part Action(s)

flex, adduct, and externally rotate hip

Adductor Magnus Hamstring Part Action(s)

extend and internally rotate hip

Adductor Longus Origin

superior pubic ramus

Adductor Longus Insertion

linea aspera of femur

Adductor Longus Action(s)

flex hip, adduct hip, externally rotate hip

Adductor Brevis Origin

inferior pubic ramus

Adductor Brevis Insertion

linea aspera of femur

Adductor Brevis Action(s)

flex hip, adduct hip, externally rotate hip

Gastrocnemius Origin

medial and lateral epicondyles of the femur

Gastrocnemius Insertion

calcaneal tuberosity

Gastrocnemius Action(s)

plantar flex ankle, flex knee

Vastus Lateralis Origin

intertrochanteric line, greater trochanter, gluteal tuberosity, and linea aspera of femur

Vastus Lateralis Insertion

tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament

Vastus Lateralis Action(s)

extend knee