Lower Appendage Muscles

Lower Appendage Muscles Summary

Muscles Moving the Leg

  • Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Group:

    • Rectus femoris:

    • Origin: Anterior inferior iliac spine

    • Insertion: Tibial tuberosity

    • Action: Extension at the knee

    • Vastus lateralis

    • Vastus medialis

  • Adductor Group:

    • Gracilis:

    • Origin: Inferior portion of pubis

    • Insertion: Medial surface of proximal tibia

    • Action: Adduction at the hip

    • Sartorius:

    • Origin: Lateral edge of iliac crest

    • Insertion: Proximal tibia

    • Action: Abduction at the hip

    • Tensor fasciae latae: Action also abduction

    • Iliopsoas, Adductor longus, Pectineus

  • Hamstring Muscle Group:

    • Biceps femoris (long head):

    • Origin: Ischial tuberosity

    • Insertion: Head of the fibula

    • Action: Flexion at the knee

    • Semitendinosus

    • Semimembranosus

Muscles Moving the Thigh

  • Gluteal Group:

    • Gluteus maximus, Gluteus medius, Gluteus minimus

  • Lateral Rotator Group:

    • Piriformis, Superior gemellus, Obturator internus, Inferior gemellus, Quadratus femoris

Muscles Moving the Foot and Toes

  • Extrinsic Muscles:

    • Gastrocnemius:

    • Medial Origin: Medial edge of medial epicondyle of femur

    • Lateral Origin: Lateral edge of lateral epicondyle of femur

    • Insertion: Calcaneus

    • Action: Extension at ankle

    • Soleus, Popliteus, Plantaris

    • Tibialis anterior:

    • Origin: Lateral edge of proximal tibia

    • Insertion: Metatarsal I

    • Action: Dorsiflexion at ankle

    • Fibularis longus, Fibularis brevis, Extensor digitorum longus

  • Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot:

    • Flexor digitorum brevis, Abductor digiti minimi, Abductor hallucis