Leg Muscles

Adductor Brevis

A muscle that adducts and laterally rotates the thigh, found in the inner thigh below the adductor longus.

Adductor Longus

A muscle that adducts and laterally rotates the thigh, situated in the inner thigh near the groin.

Adductor Magnus

A muscle that adducts, flexes, extends, and laterally rotates the thigh, found in the inner thigh near the pelvis.

Biceps Femoris

A muscle that extends the thigh and flexes and laterally rotates the leg, located on the outer side of the back thigh.

Extensor Digitorum Longus

A muscle that extends digits 2-5 and dorsiflexes and everts the foot, found on the lateral side of the lower leg.

Extensor Hallucis Longus

A muscle that extends the big toe, dorsiflexes the foot, and inverts the foot, found on the front of the lower leg beside the shin.

Fibularis Brevis

A muscle that plantar flexes and everts the foot, located on the outer side of the lower leg.

Fibularis Longus

A muscle that plantar flexes and everts the foot, running along the fibula on the lateral side of the lower leg.

Fibularis Tertius

A muscle that dorsiflexes and everts the foot, situated at the front of the lower leg near the fibula.

Flexor Digitorum Longus

A muscle that flexes the toes and plantar flexes and inverts the foot, situated on the posterior side of the leg.

Flexor Hallucis Longus

A muscle that flexes the big toe and plantar flexes and inverts the foot, found on the lateral side of the posterior leg.

Gastrocnemius

A muscle that flexes the leg and plantar flexes the foot, located at the back of the lower leg (calf).

Gluteus Maximus

A muscle responsible for extending, abducting, and laterally rotating the thigh, located in the buttocks.

Gluteus Medius

A muscle that medially rotates and abducts the thigh, located on the outer hip below the gluteus maximus.

Gluteus Minimus

A muscle that medially rotates and abducts the thigh, located deep under the gluteus medius on the side of the hip.

Gracilis

A muscle that adducts the thigh and flexes the leg, located in the inner thigh.

Iliacus

A muscle that flexes the thigh and aids in trunk flexion, originating from the inner surface of the ilium.

Pectineus

A muscle that adducts and flexes the thigh, situated near the groin area.

Popliteus

A muscle that flexes and medially rotates the leg, located at the back of the knee.

Psoas Major

A muscle that flexes the thigh and lumbar vertebrae, originating from the inner hip.

Rectus Femoris

A muscle that flexes the thigh and extends the leg, situated on the front of the thigh as part of the quadriceps.

Sartorius

A muscle that flexes and laterally rotates the thigh and flexes the leg, running diagonally across the front of the thigh.

Semimembranosus

A muscle that extends the thigh and flexes and medially rotates the leg, part of the hamstrings located on the posterior thigh.

Semitendinosus

A muscle that extends the thigh and flexes and medially rotates the leg, part of the hamstrings located on the posterior thigh.

Soleus

A muscle that plantar flexes the foot, found deep to the gastrocnemius in the calf.

Tensor Fasciae Latae

A muscle that flexes, medially rotates, and abducts the thigh, located on the outer hip.

Tibialis Anterior

A muscle that dorsiflexes and inverts the foot, located at the front of the lower leg.

Tibialis Posterior

A muscle that plantar flexes and inverts the foot, located deep at the back of the lower leg.

Vastus Intermedius

A muscle that extends the leg, located deep under the front thigh muscle.

Vastus Lateralis

A muscle that extends the leg, located in the lateral part of the quadriceps on the front of the thigh.

Vastus Medialis

A muscle that extends the leg and stabilizes the patella, located in the medial part of the quadriceps on the front of the thigh.