Knee and Muscle Identification

Muscle Identification and Function

Column A vs. Column B Muscle Matching

1. Hip flexor, deep in pelvis; a composite of two muscles: Iliopsoas (H)

   • The iliopsoas muscle is a combination of the iliacus and psoas major muscles, crucial for hip flexion.

2. Used to extend the hip when climbing stairs: Gluteus maximus (E)

   • The gluteus maximus is the primary hip extensor, especially important during activities like climbing.

3. "Toe dancer's" muscle; a two-bellied muscle of the calf: Gastrocnemius (D)

   • The gastrocnemius, with its two heads, is a major plantar flexor, enabling actions like standing on toes.

4. Inverts and dorsiflexes the foot: Tibialis anterior (O)

   • The tibialis anterior is responsible for lifting the foot (dorsiflexion) and turning the sole inward (inversion).

5. Muscle group that allows you to draw your legs to the midline of your body, as when standing at attention: Adductors (A)

   • The adductor group pulls the legs towards the midline, facilitating adduction.

6. Muscle group that extends the knee: Quadriceps (I)

   • The quadriceps femoris is a group of four muscles (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius) that work together to extend the knee.

7. Muscle group that extends the thigh and flexes the knee: Hamstrings (G)

   • The hamstrings (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus) perform both hip extension and knee flexion.

8. Smaller hip muscle commonly used as an injection site: Gluteus medius (F)

   • The gluteus medius is a safe location for intramuscular injections due to its thickness and reduced risk of nerve damage.

9. Muscle group of the lateral leg; plantar flex and evert the foot: Fibularis muscles (C)

   • The fibularis muscles (also known as peroneals) are responsible for plantar flexion and eversion of the foot.

10. Straplike muscle that is a weak thigh flexor; the "tailor's muscle": Sartorius (K)

    • The sartorius muscle is long, thin, and crosses both the hip and knee joints, contributing to flexion, abduction, and external rotation of the thigh.

11. Like the two-bellied muscle that lies over it, this muscle is a plantar flexor: Soleus (N)

    • The soleus is a deep calf muscle that works with the gastrocnemius for plantar flexion.

Lower Limb Actions When Kicking a Football

1. Flexing the hip joint: Iliopsoas, Rectus Femoris

   • The iliopsoas (iliacus and psoas major) and rectus femoris are prime hip flexors.

2. Extending the knee: Quadriceps

   • The quadriceps femoris muscle group (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius) is responsible for knee extension.

3. Dorsiflexing the foot: Tibialis Anterior

   • The tibialis anterior muscle is responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot, which involves lifting the foot towards the shin.