Muscles of the Leg – Chart

Feb 9, 2013

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Muscles of the Leg Chart for Massage Therapists

Thigh	Origin	Insertion	Action	Notes
*Posterior thigh*
(Hamstrings)
Biceps Femoris	Long head -Ischial tuberosityShort head- lateral lip of linea aspera	Head of the fibula	Flex knee, extend hip, tilt pelvis posteriorly, laterally rotates femur
Semitendinosus	Ischial tuberosity	Proximal, medial condyle of the tibia	Flex knee, extend hip, tilt pelvis posteriorly, medially rotate of flexed knee	superficial, stringy, tendonus attachment
Semimembranosus	Ischial tuberosity	Posterior medial condyle of the tibia	Flex knee, extend hip, tilt pelvis posteriorly, medially rotate flexed knee	deeper, broader, most medial
*Anterior Thigh*
Sartorius	Anterior superior iliac spine	Upper medial shaft of tibia	assists flexion, abduction, lateral rotation of hip, assists flexion, medial rotation of knee	cross-legged flexion: the tailors muscle
Quadriceps
Rectus femoris	anterior inferior iliac spine, ilium on upper margin of acetabulum	patella, patellar ligament to tibial tuberosity	extension of knee, assists flexion of hip	only hip flexor of quad group
Vastus medialis	linea aspera on posterior femur	patella, patellar ligament to tibial tuberosity	extension of knee
Vastus lateralis	linea aspera on posterior femur	patella, patellar ligament to tibial tuberosity	extension of knee
Vastus intermedius	anterior and lateral femoral shaft	patella, patellar ligament to tibial tuberosity	extension of knee
*Medial thigh*
Pectineus	superior ramus of pubis	pectineal line of femur	flexes hip, adducts thigh, medially rotates the thigh
Adductor longus	anterior pubis just inferior to pubic tubercle	linea aspera on posterior femur	adduction of hip, assists in flexion and medial rotation of hip
Adductor brevis	anterior pubis	linea aspera on posterior femur	adduction of the hip, assists in flexion and medial rotation of hip
Adductor magnus	inferior pubic ramus, ischial ramus, ischial tuberosity	proximal 1/3 of linea aspera of posterior femur, adductor tubercle	adduction of hip, assists in flexion of hip, posterior fiber assists in extension of hip	assist hamstrings
Gracilis	anterior pubis	medial proximal tibia	adduction of hip, assists in flexion and medial rotation of flexed knee	crosses knee and hip
*Leg, ankle, foot, posterior thigh*
Gastrocnemius	medial epicondyle of femur, lateral epicondyle of femur	calcaneus via achilles tendon	plantarflexion of foot at ankle, flexion of knee	crosses knee and ankle
Soleus	upper fibula, soleal line of tibia	calcaneus via achilles tendon	plantarflexes foot	deep to gastrocnemius, but wider than gastroc; strong contractions pump blood from leg to heart
Plantaris	above the lateral head of gastrocnemius on femur	calcaneus via achilles tendon	weak plantarflexion of the foot at ankle	may be absent in approx. 10% of people
Popliteus	lateral femoral condyle	posterior tibial surface above soleal line	laterally rotates femur, flexes the knee, unlocks knee from and extended position	deepest muscle of posterior knee
Tibialis posterior	proximal posterior tibia, interosseous membrane, medial fibula	navicular, cuneiform, cuboid bones and bases of 2nd -4th metatarsals	inverts the foot, plantar flexes the ankle	tendons under flexor retinaculum
Flexor digitorum longus	lower 2/3 of tibia	4 outer phalanges plantar surface, along side ankle	plantarflexes and inverts foot, flexes toes 2-5
Flexor hallicus longus	inferior 2/3 of posterior fibula	plantar surface of big toe	flexes big toe, weak plantarflexion of the ankle, inversion of foot
*Anterior leg*
Tibialis anterior	lateral tibia, proximal lateral surface of tibia, interosseous membrane	medial cuneiform, first metatarsal	inversion of foot, dorsiflexion of ankle
Extensor digitorum longus	lateral tibial condyle, fibula	dorsal surface of phalanges 2-5	extension of toes 2-5, dorsiflexion of the ankle, eversion of the foot
Extensor hallicus longus	medial aspect of the fibula, interosseous membrane	diatal phalanx of big toe	extends the big toe, dorsiflexion of the ankle, inversion of the foot
*Lateral leg*
Peroneus longus	upper lateral fibula	medial cuneiform, plantar surface of cuboid, base of 1st metatarsal	eversion and abduction of foot, weak plantarflexion of foot
Peroneus brevis	lower, lateral 2/3 of fibula	fifth metatarsal	eversion and abduction of foot, weak plantarflexion of foot