Lower Ex. Muscles

Extrinsic (Ventral Rami)

  • Superficial (axioappendicular) (limb movement)

    • Latissimus dorsi (C6-8)

      • attachments- from lower thoracic spinous processes, thoracolumbar fascia & iliac crest to the floor of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus

      • actions- (HANDCUFF MUSCLES) adduction, extension & medial rotation of humerus

      • innervation- thoracodorsal nerve

    •  Levator scapulae (C4-5)

      • attachments- from transverse processes of C1-C4 to the superior angle & superomedial border of the scapula

      • actions- elevation & downward rotation of the scapula

      • innervation- dorsal scapular nerve (sensory: direct branches of C3-4)

    • Trapezius (Accessory n. [CN XI] motor; C3-4 sensory)

      • attachments- from the superior nuchal line, external occipital protuberance, ligamentum nuchae, & cervical & thoracic spinous processes to the clavicle, acromion & scapular spine

      • actions- scapular elevation (upper), depression (lower), retraction (middle) & upward rotation (upper & lower)

      • innervation- accessory nerve (CN XI; motor) & C3-4 (sensory)

  • Intermediate (respiratory)

    • Serratus posterior superior

      • attachments- from spinous processes of C7-T3 to inferior borders of ribs 2-5

      • function- proprioception of thoracic wall

      • innervation- intercostal nn. (T1-4)

    • Serratus posterior inferior

      • attachments- from spinous processes of T11-L2 to inferior borders of ribs 9-12

      • function- proprioception of thoracic wall

      • innervation- intercostal nn. (T9-12)

Intrinsic (Dorsal Rami)

  • Superficial

    • Splenius capitis (attached to skull)

      • attachments: from ligamentum nuchae and spinous processes T4-C7 to the mastoid process

      • actions: extension, lateral flexion, ipsilateral rotation

      • innervation: dorsal rami of spinal nerves

    • Splenius cervicis (attached to neck)

      • attachments: from spinous processes of T3-T6 to posterior tubercles of transverse processes of C1-3

      • actions: extension, lateral flexion, ipsilateral rotation

      • innervation: dorsal rami of spinal nerves

  • Int

    • Erector spinae

attachments- from TLF (Thoracolumbar fascia) attached to the sacrum, iliac crest, spinous processes L5-T11, supraspinous lig., angles of ribs to costal angles (iliocostalis), ribs & transverse processes (longissimus), and spinous processes (spinalis)

  1. Spinalis: thoracis, cervicis, capitis (represented as semispinalis capitis)

  2. Longissimus: capitis, cervicis, thoracis

  3. Iliocostalis: cervicis, thoracis, lumborum

  • Action: Extension and lateral flexion of vertebral column 

  • Deep

    • Transversospinales

      • Semispinalis

        • attachments- from transverse processes to distant superior spinous processes

          • 1. Semispinalis: capitis, cervicis, thoracis

        • actions- extension & contralateral rotation of the vertebral column

      • Multifidus

        • attachments- from sacrum, posterior SI ligament, posterior iliac spine, transverse processes  to more superior spinous processes

        • multifidus: sacral, lumbar, thoracic, cervical

        • actions- extension & contralateral rotation of the vertebral column

      • Rotatores longus and brevis (transversospinales group)

        • attachments: transverse to spinous process of vertebra above (1-2 levels)

        • actions: extension & contralateral rotation of the vertebral column

      • Interspinales

        • attachments: between spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae cervical (6), thoracic (2-3), lumbar (4)

        • action: extension of spine

      • Intertransversarii

        • attachments: between the transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae

        • action: lateral flexion of spine

      • 4&5 Name the attachments, innervation, and actions of the muscles on the Structure Information List

      Anterior Femoral Muscles (segmental innervation)

      • Iliopsoas (L1-4), a combination of the following two muscles:

        • 1. Iliacus (L2-3-4)

          • attachments- from iliac fossa, iliac crest, sacral ala & sacroiliac ligaments to lesser trochanter of femur

          • actions- flexes and stabilizes the hip joint

          • innervation- femoral nerve

        • 2. Psoas major (L. muscle of the loin) (L1-2-3-4)

          • attachments- from anterior transverse processes, vertebral bodies & discs (T12-L5) to the lesser trochanter of femur

          • actions- flexes and stabilizes the hip joint

          • innervation- ventral rami L1-4 (from lumbar plexus)

      • Rectus femoris (L2, 3, 4) (L. straight)

        • attachments- from anterior inferior iliac spine and groove superior to the acetabulum to the base of the patella

        • actions- flexes hip, and extends knee 

        • innervation- femoral nerve

      • Sartorius (L. sartor, a tailor) (L2-3)

        • attachments- from anterior superior iliac spine to the medial aspect of the proximal tibia

        • actions- flexes, abducts & laterally rotates hip, and flexes & assists medial rotation of the knee

        • innervation- femoral nerve

      • Tensor fasciae latae (L4-5-S1)

        • attachments- from anterior superior iliac spine & external lip iliac crest to iliotibial tract

        • actions- abducts, flexes & medially rotates hip, and assists in maintaining knee extension

        • innervation- superior gluteal nerve

      • Vastus intermedius (L2, 3, 4)

        • attachments- from the anterior aspect of the proximal 2/3rds of the femoral shaft to the lateral border of the patella

        • actions- extends knee

        • innervation- femoral nerve

      • Vastus lateralis (L2, 3, 4)

        • attachments- from the intertrochanteric line, greater trochanter, gluteal tuberosity & linea aspera to the base & lateral border of the patella

        • actions- extends knee

        • innervation- femoral nerve

      • Vastus medialis (L2, 3, 4)

        • attachments- from the intertrochanteric line, spiral line, linea aspera & medial supracondylar line to the base & medial border of the patella

        • actions- extends leg

        • innervation- femoral nerve

      • Articularis genu (L2, 3, 4; small muscle that may be blended with vastus intermedius)

        • attachments- from the distal anterior shaft of femur to proximal portion of synovial membrane of knee joint

        • actions- pulls articular capsule proximally

        • innervation- femoral nerve (a branch of the nerve from the vastus intermedius)

      Medial Femoral Muscles

      • Adductor brevis (L2-3-4)

        • attachments- from inferior pubic ramus to distal 2/3 pectineal line and  medial lip linea aspera

        • actions- adducts and flexes hip 

        • innervation- obturator nerve

      • Adductor longus (L2-3-4)

        • attachments- from pubic crest to medial lip linea aspera

        • actions- adducts, medially rotates, and flexes hip

        • innervation- obturator nerve

      • Adductor magnus (adductor part: L2-3-4 & hamstrings part: L4-5-S1)

        • attachments- from the inferior pubic ramus, ischial ramus & tuberosity to gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera (adductor part), medial supracondylar ridge & adductor tubercle of the femur (hamstring part)

        • actions- adducts, flexes (adductor part) & extends (hamstring part) hip

        • innervation- obturator nerve (adductor part) & tibial division of the sciatic nerve (hamstring part)

      • Gracilis (L. scanty) (L2-3-4)

        • attachments- from the body of the pubis & inferior pubic ramus to the medial surface of tibia, distal to condyle, proximal to insertion of semitendinosus, lateral to insertion of sartorius

        • actions- flexes & medially rotates the knee, and adducts hip

        • innervation- obturator nerve

      • Pectineus (L2-3-4)

        • attachments- from superior pubic ramus to the femur between the lesser trochanter & linea aspera (pectineal line)

        • actions- adducts, flexes hip

        • innervation- femoral nerve & obturator nerve

      • Obturator externus (L3-4)

        • attachments- from rami of the pubis and ischium; external surface obturator membrane to trochanteric fossa

        • actions- laterally rotates hip

        • innervation- obturator nerve  

      Muscles of the Gluteal Region

      • Superior gemellus (L5-S1-2)

        • attachments- external surface spine of ischium via obturator  internus tendon to greater trochanter

        • actions- laterally rotates hip

        • innervation- sacral plexus N. obturator internus

      • Inferior gemellus (L4-5-S1)

        • attachments- proximal ischial tuberosity via obturator  internus tendon to greater trochanter

        • actions- laterally rotates hip

        • innervation- nerve to the quadratus femoris (from sacral plexus)

      • Gluteus maximus (L5-S1-2)

        • attachments- from the aponeurosis of the erector spinae, sacrum, sacrotuberous ligament & posterior gluteal line (innominate) to the greater trochanter, gluteal tuberosity of the femur & the iliotibial tract

        • actions- extends & laterally rotates hip

        • innervation- inferior gluteal nerve

      • Gluteus medius (L4-5-S1)

        • attachments- from the external iliac surface to the oblique ridge on the lateral aspect of the greater trochanter; gluteal aponeurosis

        • actions- abducts & medially rotates hip; and keeps the pelvis level when opposite leg is raised

        • innervation- superior gluteal nerve

      • Gluteus minimis (L4-5-S1)

        • attachments- from the external iliac surface and margin of the greater sciatic notch to the anterolateral aspect of the greater trochanter

        • actions- abducts & medially rotates hip; and keeps the pelvis level when opposite leg is raised

        • innervation- superior gluteal nerve

      • Obturator internus (L5-S1-2)

        • attachments- from the anterolateral wall of the pelvis & obturator membrane to the medial surface of the greater trochanter

        • actions- laterally rotates hip

        • innervation- nerve to the obturator internus (from sacral plexus)

      • Piriformis (S1-2)

        • attachments- from the anterolateral sacrum & posterior inferior iliac spine to the upper border of the greater trochanter

        • actions- abducts & laterally rotates hip

        • innervation- nerve to piriformis

      • Quadratus femoris (L4-5-S1)

        • attachments- from the ischial tuberosity to the quadrate tubercle of the femur

        • actions- laterally rotates hip

        • innervation- nerve to the quadratus femoris (from sacral plexus)

      Posterior Femoral Muscles

      • Biceps femoris (L5-S1-2-3 to long head; L5-S1-2 to short head)

        • attachments- from the ischial tuberosity  & sacrotuberous lig. (long head); lateral lip of linea aspera & lateral supracondylar line (short head) to the lateral side of fibular head

        • actions- flexes & laterally rotates the knee (both heads) & extends hip (long head only)

        • innervation- tibial division of sciatic (long head) & fibular division of the sciatic nerve (short head)

      • Semimembranosus (L4-5-S1-2)

        • attachments- from ischial tuberosity to posterior aspect of the medial tibial condyle

        • actions- extends hip, and flexes & medially rotates knee

        • innervation- tibial division of the sciatic nerve

      • Semitendinosus (L4-5-S1-2)

        • attachments- from the ischial tuberosity to the proximal, medial tibia

        • actions- extends hip, and flexes & medially rotates knee

        • innervation- tibial division of the sciatic nerve5. And 6. Name the attachments and spinal cord segments of the muscles on the Structure Information List

        Anterior Crural Muscles

        • Extensor digitorum longus (L4-5-S1)

          • attachments- from the lateral tibial condyle, proximal 3/4th of the fibula and crural interosseous membrane to the dorsal digital expansions of toes 2-5

          • actions- dorsiflexes ankle, and extends digits 2-5 (IP & MP)

          • innervation- deep fibular nerve

        • Extensor hallucis longus (L. hallux, great toe) (L4-5-S1)

          • attachments- from the middle 1/2 of the fibular surface & crural interosseous membrane to the distal phalangeal base of the 1st toe

          • actions- dorsiflexes ankle, and extends great toe (MP & IP)

          • innervation- deep fibular nerve

        • Fibularis (peroneus) tertius (L4-5-S1)

          • attachments- from the distal fibula and crural interosseous membrane to the base of the 5th metatarsal

          • actions- dorsiflexes ankle, and everts foot

          • innervation- deep fibular nerve

        • Tibialis anterior (L4-5-S1)

          • attachments- from the lateral condyle and proximal 2/3rds of the tibia’s lateral surface & crural interosseous membrane to the medial cuneiform & adjacent 1st metatarsal

          • actions- dorsiflexes ankle, and inverts foot

          • innervation- deep fibular nerve

        Lateral Crural Muscles

        • Fibularis (peroneus) longus (L4-S1)

          • attachments- from the head & proximal 2/3rds of the fibula to the lateral aspects of the 1st metatarsal & adjacent medial cuneiform

          • actions- everts foot, plantar flexes ankle, and depresses 1st metatarsal head

          • innervation- superficial fibular nerve

        • Fibularis (peroneus) brevis (L4-S1)

          • attachments- from the distal 2/3rds of the fibula to the lateral base of the 5th metatarsal

          • actions- everts foots, plantar flexes ankle 

          • innervation- superficial fibular nerve

        Posterior Crural Muscles

        • Flexor digitorum longus (L5-S2)

          • attachments- from the posterior tibia distal to the soleal line to the plantar surface of the distal phalangeal bases

          • actions- plantar flexes ankle, and flexes digits 2-5 (MP & IP) 

          • innervation- tibial nerve

        • Flexor hallucis longus (L5-S2)

          • attachments- from the distal 2/3rds of the posterior fibular surface & crural interosseous membrane to the plantar aspect of the distal phalangeal base of the 1st toe

          • actions- plantar flexes ankle, and flexes great toe (MP & IP)

          • innervation- tibial nerve

        • Gastrocnemius (S1-2) (Gr. gaster, belly + knee, leg)  

          • attachments- from the posterior aspect of the femoral condyles and joint capsule to the posterior calcaneal surface

          • actions- flexes knee, and plantar flexes ankle

          • innervation- tibial nerve

        • Plantaris (L4-S1) (L. planta, sole)

          • attachments- from the lateral supracondylar line to the posterior calcaneal surface

          • actions- flexes knee, and plantar flexes ankle

          • innervation- tibial nerve

        • Popliteus (L4-S1)attachments- from the lateral femoral condyle and oblique popliteal ligament to the soleal line of the tibia

        • actions- in NWB, medial rotation of tibia and knee flexion; in WB insertion is fixed: lateral rotation of femur and knee flexion;  thus, it unlocks the knee from extension into early flexion

        • innervation- tibial nerve

        • Soleus (L5-S2)

          • attachments- from the posterior aspect of the head & proximal 1/4th of the fibula & tibial soleal line to the posterior calcaneal surface

          • actions- plantar flexes the foot at the ankle joint

          • innervation- tibial nerve 

        • Tibialis posterior (L4-S1)

          • attachments- from the crural interosseous membrane, lateral tibial surface & medial fibular surface to the navicular, medial & intermediate cuneiforms and bases of metatarsals 2-4

          • actions- inverts foot and plantar flexes ankle2. 3 nd 4 Describe the layers of the muscles of the foot and list their contents, general actions, innervation, and blood supply include segmental nerve intervation and muscle attachments 

            Most Superficial: Plantar Appendrosis

            • 1st layer

              • Flexor digitorum brevis

                • (L4-5-S1)

                  • attachments- from medial process of calcaneal tuberosity to sides of intermediate phalanges of digits 2-5

                  • actions- flexes toes (proximal IP)

                  • innervation- medial plantar nerve 

              • Abductor hallucis

                • (L4-5-S1)

                  • attachments- from medial calcaneal tuberosity to medial side of proximal phalangeal base of great toe

                  • actions- flexes & abducts great toe

                  • innervation- medial plantar nerve

              • Abductor digiti minimi

                • (S1-2)

                  • attachments- from calcaneal tuberosity to lateral side of proximal phalangeal base of 5th digit

                  • actions- abducts & flexes 5th digit

                  • innervation- lateral plantar nerve

              • Inn: lateral/medial plantar nn.

            • 2nd layer

              • Quadratus plantae

                • (flexor digitorum accessorius)

                • (S1-2)

                  • attachments- from medial surface of calcaneus & lateral process of calcaneal tuberosity to long flexor tendons

                  • actions- assists flexor digitorum longus  

                  • innervation- lateral plantar nerve 

              • Lumbricals (4)

                • Arising from flexor digitorum longus

                • (1st: L4-5-S1; 2nd -4th: S1-2)

                  • attachments- from tendons of flexor digitorum longus to medial sides of dorsal expansions of digits 2-5

                  • actions- flexes proximal phalanges (MP), and extend IP joints

                  • innervation- 1st- medial plantar nerve & 2nd-4th- lateral plantar nerve

              • Inn: lateral/medial plantar nn.

            • 3rd layer

              • Adductor hallicis 

                • (S1-2)

                  • attachments- from 2-4th metatarsal bases (oblique head) & distal ends of 3-5 metatarsal (transverse head) to lateral base of the proximal phalanx of great toe

                  • actions- adducts great toe

                  • innervation- lateral plantar nerve

              • Flexor hallucis brevis

                • (L4-5-S1)

                  • attachments- from cuboid & tendon of tibialis posterior to base of the proximal phalanx of great toe

                  • actions- flexion of great toe (MP)

                  • innervation- medial plantar nerve 

              • Flexor digitit minimi brevis 

                • (S1-2)

                  • attachments- from 5th metatarsal base to proximal phalangeal base 

                  • actions- flexion of 5th digit (MP)

                  • innervation- lateral plantar nerve

              • Inn: lateral/medial plantar nn.

            • 4th layer

              • Plantar interossei (3)

                • (S1-2)

                  • attachments- from plantar surface of base of metatarsals to dorsal digital expansions of digits 3-5

                  • actions- adducts & flexes (MP) digits 3-5

                  • innervation- lateral plantar nerve

              • Dorsal interossei (4)

                • Dorsal interossei (S1-2)

                  • attachments- from metatarsal shafts to proximal phalangeal bases & dorsal digital expansions of digits 2-4

                  • actions- abducts (MP) & flexes (MP) digits 2-4

                  • innervation- lateral plantar nerve

              • ALL innervated by lateral plantar n.

            • Dorsal aspect

              • Extensor hallucis brevis

              • (L4-5-S1)

                • attachments- from extensor digitorum brevis to dorsal aspect of the base of the proximal phalanx of the hallux

                • action- extension of great toe at metatarsophalangeal joint

                • innervation- deep fibular nerve

              • Extensor digitorum brevis

              • (L4-5-S1; medial slip of this muscle is extensor hallucis brevis)

                • attachments- from anterolateral calcaneus to dorsal aspect of the base of the proximal phalanx (digit 1 for EHB) or to the lateral side of tendons of extensor digitorum longus (digits 2-4 for EDB)

                • actions- extension of digits 2-5 (MP & IP; EDB) and extension of digit 1 (EHB)

                • innervation- deep fibular nerve

              • Inn. by deep fibular n.