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Thigh to Foot Musculature
Muscle Regions of the Body:
Muscle Groups within this Region:
Gluteal Musculature
Tensor fascia lata
 | Origin:
- anterior aspect of iliac crest
- anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS)
|
| Insertion: anterior aspect of IT band, below greater trochanter |
| Action:
- hip flexion
- medially rotate & abduct a flexed thigh
- tenses IT tract to support femur on the tibia during standing
|
| Blood:
- superior gluteal artery
- lateral femoral circumflex artery
|
| Nerve: superior gluteal nerve, L4,5,S1 |
Gluteus maximus
| Origin:
- outer rim of ilium (medial aspect)
- dorsal surface of sacrum and coccyx
- sacrotuberous ligament
|
| Insertion:
- IT band (primary insertion)
- gluteal tuberosity of femur
|
| Action:
- powerful extensor of hip
- laterally rotates thigh
- upper fibers aid in abduction of thigh
- fibers of IT band stabilize a fully extended knee
|
| Blood:
- inferior gluteal artery (primary)
- superior gluteal artery
|
| Nerve: inferior gluteal nerve, L5,S1,2 |
Gluteus medius
| Origin:
- outer aspect of ilium (between iliac crest and anterior and posterior gluteal lines)
- upper fascia (AKA gluteal aponeurosis)
|
| Insertion: superior aspect of greater trochanter |
| Action:
- anterior and lateral fibers abduct and medially rotate the thigh
- posterior fibers may laterally rotate thigh
- stabilizes the pelvis and prevents free limb from sagging during gait
|
| Blood: superior gluteal artery |
| Nerve: superior gluteal nerve, L4,5,S1 |
Gluteus minimus
| Origin: outer aspect of ilium (between anterior and inferior gluteal lines) |
| Insertion:
- greater trochanter (anterior to medius)
- articular capsule of hip joint
|
| Action:
- abduct and medially rotate the thigh
- stabilizes the pelvis and prevents free limb from sagging during gait
|
| Blood: superior gluteal artery |
| Nerve: superior gluteal nerve, L4,5,S1 |
Piriformis
| Origin: pelvic surface of sacrum (anterior portion) |
| Insertion: medial surface of greater trochanter (through greater sciatic foramen) |
| Action:
- lateral rotation of extended thigh
- abducts a flexed thigh
|
| Blood:
- superior gluteal artery
- inferior gluteal artery
|
| Nerve: nerve to piriformis, S1,2 |
Superior gemellus
| Origin: ischial spine |
| Insertion: medial aspect of greater trochanter via upper tendon of obturator internus |
| Action:
- laterally rotates femur
- abducts thigh when flexed
|
| Blood: inferior gluteal artery |
| Nerve: nerve to obturator internus, L5,S1,2 |
Obturator internus
| Origin:
- internal aspect margins of obturator foramen
- obturator membrane
|
| Insertion: medial aspect of greater trochanter (through lesser sciatic foramen) |
| Action:
- laterally rotates femur
- abducts thigh when flexed
|
| Blood: inferior gluteal artery |
| Nerve: nerve to obturator internus, L5,S1,2 |
Inferior gemellus
| Origin: ischial tuberosity |
| Insertion: medial aspect of greater trochanter via lower tendon of obturator internus |
| Action: laterally rotates femur |
| Blood: inferior gluteal artery |
| Nerve: nerve to quadratus femoris, L4,5,S1 |
Quadratus femoris
| Origin: lateral aspect of ischial tuberosity |
| Insertion: quadrate line (along posterior aspect of femur and intertrochanteric crest) |
| Action: laterally rotates femur |
| Blood: inferior gluteal artery |
| Nerve: nerve to quadratus femoris, L4,5,S1 |
Posterior Thigh Musculature
Semitendinosus
| Origin: ischial tuberosity |
| Insertion:
- medial aspect of tibial shaft
- contributes to the pez anserine
|
| Action:
- extends hip
- flexes knee
- medially rotates tibia
|
| Blood:
- perforating branches of profunda femoris
- inferior gluteal artery (to upper)
|
| Nerve: tibial nerve of sciatic bundle, L5,S1,2 |
Semimembranosus
| Origin: ischial tuberosity |
| Insertion:
- posterior medial aspect of medial tibial condyle
- fibers join to form most of oblique popliteal ligament (& medial meniscus)
|
| Action:
- flexes knee
- extends hip
- medially rotates tibia
- pulls medial meniscus posterior during flexion
|
| Blood:
- perforating branches of profunda femoris
- inferior gluteal artery (to upper)
|
| Nerve: tibial nerve of sciatic bundle, L5,S1,2 |
Biceps femoris
| Origin:
- long head: ischial tuberosity
- short head: lateral lip of linea aspera and the lateral intermuscular septum
|
| Insertion:
- head of fibula
- maybe to the lateral tibial condyle
|
| Action:
- flexor at the knee (mainly short head)
- laterally rotates thigh if flexed at the knee
- extends hip (long head)
|
| Blood:
- perforating branches of profunda femoris
- inferior gluteal artery (to upper)
|
| Nerve:
- long head - tibial nerve, L5,S1,2
- short head - common peroneal nerve, L5,S1
|
Adductor magnus, posterior fibers are sometimes considered part of this group. Its
information is listed below with the other thigh adductors.
Adductor Thigh Musculature
Note: The muscles in this group may also receive blood from obturator artery.
Adductor longus
| Origin: anterior surface of pubis, just inferior to the pubic tubercle |
| Insertion: medial lip of linea aspera on middle half of femur |
| Action:
- adducts thigh
- flexes thigh
- may laterally rotate thigh at the hip
|
| Blood: muscular branches of femoral artery |
| Nerve: obturator nerve, L2,3,4 |
Adductor brevis
| Origin: body & inferior ramus of pubis |
| Insertion: superior portion of linea aspera |
| Action:
- adducts thigh (major)
- aids in flexion of thigh
- may laterally rotate thigh at the hip
|
| Blood: muscular branches of femoral artery |
| Nerve: obturator nerve, L2,3,4 |
Adductor magnus
| Origin:
- anterior fibers: inferior pubic ramus
- oblique fibers: ischial ramus
- posterior fibers: ischial tuberosity
|
| Insertion:
- proximal 1/3 of linea aspera
- adductor tubercle
|
| Action:
- adducts the thigh
- posterior fibers also extend and laterally rotate thigh
|
| Blood:
- muscular branches of profunda femoris
|
| Nerve:
- anterior fibers: obturator nerve, L2,3,4
- posterior fibers: tibial nerve of sciatic bundle, L4,5
|
Gracilis
| Origin: body of pubis & inferior pubic ramus |
| Insertion:
- medial surface of proximal tibia, inferior to tibial condyle
- contributes to the pez anserine
|
| Action:
- adducts thigh
- flexes knee
- medially rotates tibia
|
| Blood: obturator artery |
| Nerve: obturator nerve, L2,3,4 |
Obturator externus
| Origin:
- medial surface of obturator foramen
- external surface of obturator membrane
|
| Insertion: trochanteric fossa of femur |
| Action:
- laterally rotates thigh
- assists in flexion of hip joint
|
| Blood: obturator artery |
| Nerve: obturator nerve, L2,3,4 |
Anterior Thigh Musculature
Sartorius
| Origin: anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) |
| Insertion:
- upper medial surface of body of tibia
- contributes to pez anserine
|
| Action:
- flexes hip and knee
- laterally rotates thigh if flexed at the hip
|
| Blood:
- muscular branches of profunda femoris artery
- saphenous branch of descending genicular artery
|
| Nerve: branches of femoral nerve, L2,3 |
Rectus femoris
| Origin:
- anterior head: anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS)
- posterior head: ilium just above the acetabulum
|
| Insertion:
- common quadriceps tendon into patella
- tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
|
| Action:
- extends knee
- flexes hip
|
| Blood: lateral femoral circumflex artery |
| Nerve: branches of femoral nerve, [L2],3,4 |
Vastus lateralis
| Origin:
- greater trochanter
- lateral lip of linea aspera
- lateral intermuscular septum
|
| Insertion:
- common quadriceps tendon into patella
- tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
|
| Action:
- extends knee
- can abnormally displace patella
|
| Blood: lateral femoral circumflex artery |
| Nerve: branches of femoral nerve, [L2],3,4 |
Vastus intermedius
| Origin: anterior lateral aspect of the femoral shaft |
| Insertion:
- common quadriceps tendon into patella
- tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
|
| Action: extends knee |
| Blood: lateral femoral circumflex artery |
| Nerve: branches of femoral nerve, [L2],3,4 |
Vastus medialis
| Origin:
- intertrochanteric line of femur
- medial aspect of linea aspera
|
| Insertion:
- common quadriceps tendon into patella
- tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
|
| Action: extends knee |
| Blood:
- muscular branches of profunda femoris artery
- saphenous branch of descending genicular artery
|
| Nerve: branches of femoral nerve, [L2],3,4 |
Articularis genus
| Origin:
- distal portion of anterior femoral surface, close to the knee
- off the deep fibers of the vastus intermedius
|
| Insertion: synovial membrane of the knee joint |
| Action:
- pulls the synovial membrane of the knee superior with knee extension
- prevents impingement of the synovial membrane between patella and the femur
|
| Blood: lateral femoral circumflex artery |
| Nerve: branches of femoral nerve, L3,4 |
Psoas major
| Origin:
- transverse processes of L1-L5
- vertebral bodies of T12-L4 and the intervening intervertebral discs
|
| Insertion: iliopsoas tendon to the lesser trochanter of the femur |
| Action:
- hip flexion
- lateral rotation
|
| Blood: muscular branches of medial femoral circumflex artery |
| Nerve: ventral rami, L1,2,3 |
Illiacus
| Origin: inner surface of upper iliac fossa |
| Insertion: iliopsoas tendon to the lesser trochanter of the femur |
| Action:
- powerful hip flexion
- lateral rotation
|
| Blood: muscular branches of medial femoral circumflex artery |
| Nerve: femoral nerve, L3,4 |
Pectineus
| Origin:
- pectineal line of the pubis
- superior pubic ramus
|
| Insertion:
 | the pectineal line of the femur |
| (just below the lesser trochanter on the posterior aspect of the femur) |
|
| Action:
- flexes hip
- adducts thigh
- medially rotates thigh
|
| Blood: muscular branches of medial femoral circumflex artery |
| Nerve:
| femoral nerve, L3,4 OR |
| obturator nerve, L2,3,4 OR |
| femoral L3,4 and accessory obturator L3,4 |
Posterior Leg Musculature
Gastrocnemius
| Origin:
- medial head: just above medial condyle of femur
- lateral head: just above lateral condyle of femur
|
| Insertion: calcaneus via lateral portion of calcaneal tendon |
| Action:
- plantarflex the ankle
- knee flexion (when not weight bearing)
- stabilizes ankle & knee when standing
|
| Blood:
- sural branches of popliteal artery
- muscular branches of peroneal artery
- posterior tibial artery
|
| Nerve: tibial nerve, S1,2 |
Soleus
| Origin:
- upper fibula
- soleal line of tibia
|
| Insertion: calcaneus via medial portion of calcaneal tendon |
| Action: plantarflex the foot |
| Blood:
- sural branches of popliteal artery
- muscular branches of peroneal artery
- posterior tibial artery
|
| Nerve: tibial nerve, S1,2 |
Plantaris
| Origin: above the lateral head of gastrocnemius on femur |
| Insertion: calcaneus, medial to calcaneal tendon, or blending with the calcaneal tendon |
| Action: like a weak gastrocnemius |
| Blood:
- sural branches of popliteal artery
- muscular branches of peroneal artery
- posterior tibial artery
|
| Nerve: tibial nerve, S1,2 |
Popliteus
| Origin:
- lateral femoral condyle
- arcuate popliteal ligament
- lateral meniscus
- knee joint capsule
|
| Insertion: posterior tibial surface above the soleal line |
| Action:
- insertion fixed: laterally rotates femur on tibia & unlocks knee
- origin fixed: medially rotates tibia on femur & unlocks knee
|
| Blood: sural branches of popliteal artery |
| Nerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1 |
Flexor digitorum longus
| Origin:
- posterior surface of tibia
- crural fascia
|
| Insertion: plantar surface of bases of the 2-5th distal phalanges |
| Action:
- primarily flexes 2nd - 5th toes
- weak plantarflexor
- weak inversion & adduction of foot
|
| Blood:
- peroneal artery
- posterior tibial artery
|
| Nerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1 |
Tibialis posterior
| Origin:
- posterior, proximal tibia
- interosseous membrane
- medial surface of fibula
|
| Insertion:
- navicular tuberosity (principle)
- all 3 cuneiforms (plantar surface)
- bases of 2nd-4th metatarsals
- cuboid
- sustentaculum tali of calcaneus
|
| Action:
- stabilizes ankle
- inversion & adduction of foot
- prevents hyperpronation while in gait
- weak plantarflexion of ankle
|
| Blood:
- peroneal artery
- posterior tibial artery
|
| Nerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1 |
Flexor hallucis longus
| Origin:
- posterior, inferior 2/3 of fibula
- interosseous membrane
- crural fascia & posterior intermuscular septum
|
| Insertion: plantar surface of distal phalanx of hallux |
| Action:
- flexes big toe (hallux)
- weak plantarflexion of the foot
- weak inversion & adduction of foot
|
| Blood:
- peroneal artery
- posterior tibial artery
|
| Nerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1,2 |
Anterolateral Leg Musculature
Peroneus longus
| Origin:
- head of the fibula
- proximal 2/3 of lateral fibula
- adjacent intermuscular septum
|
| Insertion:
- plantar surface of cuboid
- base of 1st & (2nd) metatarsal
- plantar surface of medial cuneiform
|
| Action:
- eversion & abduction of the foot
- weak plantarflexion of the foot at the transverse tarsal joint
|
| Blood: muscular branches of the peroneal artery |
| Nerve: superficial peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1 |
Peroneus brevis
| Origin:
- distal 2/3 of lateral fibula
- posterior and anterior intermuscular septum
|
| Insertion: tuberosity on lateral aspect of base of 5th metatarsal |
| Action:
- eversion & abduction of the foot
- weak plantarflexion of foot
|
| Blood: muscular branches of the peroneal artery |
| Nerve: superficial peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1 |
Tibialis anterior
| Origin:
- lateral tibial condyle
- proximal 2/3 of anteriolateral surface of tibia
- interosseous membrane
- anterior intermuscular septum & crural fascia
|
| Insertion:
- medial & plantar surface of base of 1st metatarsal
- medial & plantar surface of the cuneiform
|
| Action:
- strongest dorsiflexor
- inverts & adducts the foot
|
| Blood: anterior tibial artery |
| Nerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1 |
Extensor hallucis longus
| Origin:
- medial aspect of the fibula
- interosseous membrane
- crural fascia
|
| Insertion: dorsal surface of base of proximal and distal phalanx of hallux |
| Action:
- extends distal phalanx of big toe
- weak dorsiflexor
- weak inversion & adduction
|
| Blood: anterior tibial artery |
| Nerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1 |
Extensor digitorum longus
| Origin:
- lateral condyle of the tibia
- upper anterior surface of fibula
- interosseous membrane
- crural fascia
|
| Insertion:
 | dorsal surface of the bases of the middle & distal phalanxes of the 2nd-5th rays |
| (via 4 tendons and giving a fibrous expansion) |
|
| Action:
- extends the lateral 4 toes
- weak dorsiflexor & everts foot
|
| Blood: anterior tibial artery |
| Nerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1 |
Peroneus tertius
| Origin:
- distal 1/3 of anterior fibula
- distal & lateral aspect of extensor digitorum
|
| Insertion: dorsal surface of base of 5th metatarsal |
| Action:
- extends the 5th toe
- weak dorsiflexor & everts foot
|
| Blood: anterior tibial artery |
| Nerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1 |
Foot Musculature
Abductor hallucis
| Origin:
- medial process of calcaneal tuberosity
- flexor retinaculum
- plantar aponeurosis
- medial intermuscular septum
|
| Insertion: medial aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux |
| Action:
- flexes the big toe (primary action)
- may assist in abduction of big toe
|
| Blood: medial plantar artery |
| Nerve: medial plantar nerve, L5,S1 |
Flexor digitorum brevis
| Origin:
- medial process of calcaneal tuberosity
- plantar aponeurosis
|
| Insertion:
| both sides of the bases of the middle phalanx of rays 2-5 |
| (each of the 4 tendons splits forming tunnel for FDL) |
|
| Action: flexes toes 2-5 |
| Blood: medial plantar artery |
| Nerve: medial plantar nerve, L5,S1 |
Abductor digiti minimi
| Origin:
- lateral & medial processes of the calcaneal tuberosity
- plantar aponeurosis
- lateral intermuscular septum
|
| Insertion: lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of 5th ray |
| Action:
- abducts 5th toe
- aids in flexing
|
| Blood: lateral plantar artery |
| Nerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2 |
Abductor ossis metatarsi
quinti
| Origin: from fibers of abductor digiti minimi |
| Insertion: into the 5th metatarsal |
| Action: abducts the 5th ray |
| Blood: lateral plantar artery |
| Nerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2 |
Quadratus plantae
| Origin:
- medial head: medial calcaneus
- lateral head: lateral calcaneus & long plantar ligament
|
| Insertion:
| lateral margin of tendon of flexor digitorum longus (FDL) |
| may send slips into the distal tendons |
|
| Action:
- assists FDL in flexing the distal phalanxes of 2nd-5th toes
- corrects FDL from pulling toes medially
|
| Blood: lateral plantar artery |
| Nerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2 |
Lumbricals
| Origin: from tendons of FDL:
- 1st: medial aspect of tendon to 2nd ray
- 2nd-4th: two heads between the tendons in which they lie
|
| Insertion: extensor tendons of EDL on dorsal foot |
| Action:
- flex proximal phalanges at MTP
- extend middle & distal phalanges at IP
|
| Blood:
- 1st: medial plantar artery
- 2nd-4th: lateral plantar artery
|
| Nerve:
- 1st: medial plantar nerve, L5,S1
- 2nd-4th: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2
|
Flexor hallucis brevis
| Origin:
- medial aspect of the cuboid
- lateral cuneiform
|
| Insertion:
- medial aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux
- lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux
|
| Action: flexes hallux at MTP |
| Blood: medial plantar artery |
| Nerve: medial plantar nerve, L5,S1 |
Adductor hallucis
| Origin:
- oblique head: base of 2nd-4th metatarsals & long plantar ligament
- transverse head: deep transverse metatarsal ligament & plantar ligaments at MTP
joints
|
| Insertion: lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux |
| Action:
- adduction of hallux at MTP
- flexes hallux at MTP
|
| Blood: lateral plantar artery |
| Nerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2 |
Flexor digiti minimi brevis
| Origin:
- base of 5th metatarsal
- digital sheath of peroneus longus
|
| Insertion: lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of 5th ray |
| Action: flexes the 5th toe at MTP |
| Blood: lateral plantar artery |
| Nerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2 |
Plantar interossei (3 muscles)
| Origin: medial aspect of 3rd-5th metatarsals (each muscle has a single head) |
| Insertion: medial aspect of base of proximal phalanx of the same ray (of 3rd-5th rays) |
| Action:
- adduct toes 3-5
- flex toes 3-5 at MTP
|
| Blood: lateral plantar arch |
| Nerve: lateral plantar nerve (deep branch), S1,2 |
Dorsal interossei (4 muscles)
| Origin: from both metatarsals between which they lie |
| Insertion: base of proximal phalanx closest to the axis of the foot (2nd ray) |
| Action:
- abduct toes 2-4
- flexes toes 2-4 at MTP
|
| Blood: lateral plantar arch |
| Nerve: lateral plantar nerve (deep branch), S1,2 |
Extensor hallucis brevis
| Origin:
- upper anterolateral calcaneus
- inferior extensor retinaculum
|
| Insertion: base of proximal phalanx of hallux |
| Action: extends hallux |
| Blood: dorsalis pedis artery |
| Nerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5 |
Extensor digitorum brevis
| Origin:
- upper anterolateral calcaneus
- inferior extensor retinaculum
|
| Insertion: middle & distal phalanges of 2nd-4th rays (via EDL) |
| Action: extends 2nd-4th rays |
| Blood: dorsalis pedis artery |
| Nerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5 |
|
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