
These are the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. The three long muscles on the back of the knee are the hamstring group, which flexes the knee. The posterior compartment of the thigh includes muscles that flex the leg and extend the thigh. This muscle allows us to sit cross-legged. This versatile muscle flexes the leg at the knee and flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates the leg at the hip. In addition to the quadriceps femoris, the sartorius is a band-like muscle that extends from the anterior superior iliac spine to the medial side of the proximal tibia. The patellar ligament attaches to the tibial tuberosity. The tendon common to all four is the quadriceps tendon (patellar tendon), which inserts into the patella and continues below it as the patellar ligament.

The rectus femoris is on the anterior aspect of the thigh, the vastus lateralis is on the lateral aspect of the thigh, the vastus medialis is on the medial aspect of the thigh, and the vastus intermedius is between the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis and deep to the rectus femoris. This compartment contains the quadriceps femoris group, which actually comprises four muscles that extend and stabilize the knee. The muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh flex the thigh and extend the leg. Along with the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and pectineus, the strap-like gracilis adducts the thigh in addition to flexing the leg at the knee.įigure 11.31 Thigh Muscles That Move the Femur, Tibia, and Fibula The muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh are responsible for adducting the femur at the hip. Thigh Muscles That Move the Femur, Tibia, and Fibulaĭeep fascia in the thigh separates it into medial, anterior, and posterior compartments (see Figure 11.29 and Figure 11.31). The pectineus is located in the femoral triangle, which is formed at the junction between the hip and the leg and also includes the femoral nerve, the femoral artery, the femoral vein, and the deep inguinal lymph nodes. The pectineus adducts and flexes the femur at the hip as well. The adductor longus flexes the thigh, whereas the adductor magnus extends it. The adductor longus, adductor brevis, and adductor magnus can both medially and laterally rotate the thigh depending on the placement of the foot. Deep to the gluteus maximus, the piriformis, obturator internus, obturator externus, superior gemellus, inferior gemellus, and quadratus femoris laterally rotate the femur at the hip. It also helps stabilize the lateral aspect of the knee by pulling on the iliotibial tract (band), making it taut. It acts as a synergist of the gluteus medius and iliopsoas in flexing and abducting the thigh. The tensor fascia latae is a thick, squarish muscle in the superior aspect of the lateral thigh. The gluteus maximus is the largest deep to the gluteus maximus is the gluteus medius, and deep to the gluteus medius is the gluteus minimus, the smallest of the trio ( Figure 11.29 and Figure 11.30).įigure 11.30 Gluteal Region Muscles That Move the Femur

Some of the largest and most powerful muscles in the body are the gluteal muscles or gluteal group. The psoas major and iliacus make up the iliopsoas group. Most muscles that insert on the femur (the thigh bone) and move it, originate on the pelvic girdle. Gluteal Region Muscles That Move the Femur Therefore, what the leg muscles lack in range of motion and versatility, they make up for in size and power, facilitating the body’s stabilization, posture, and movement. If the center of gravity were not to remain fixed, standing up would be difficult as well. The body’s center of gravity is in the area of the pelvis. What would happen if the pelvic girdle, which attaches the lower limbs to the torso, were capable of the same range of motion as the pectoral girdle? For one thing, walking would expend more energy if the heads of the femurs were not secured in the acetabula of the pelvis. The pelvic girdle is less range of motion because it was designed to stabilize and support the body. There is very little movement of the pelvic girdle because of its connection with the sacrum at the base of the axial skeleton. Comparatively, there is much more movement at the pectoral girdle than at the pelvic girdle. The appendicular muscles of the lower body position and stabilize the pelvic girdle, which serves as a foundation for the lower limbs. Identify the movement and function of the pelvic girdle and lower limb.

