Thigh to Foot Musculature

 
Muscle Regions of the Body:

bulletHead and neck
bulletTrunk, front and back
bulletBrachium, antibrachium & hand
bulletThigh, leg & foot

Muscle Groups within this Region:

bulletGluteal
bulletPosterior Thigh
bulletAdductor Thigh
bulletAnterior Thigh
bulletPosterior Leg
bulletAnterolateral Leg
bulletFoot


Gluteal Musculature

 

Tensor fascia lata

bulletOrigin:
  1. anterior aspect of iliac crest
  2. anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS)
bulletInsertion: anterior aspect of IT band, below greater trochanter
bulletAction:
  1. hip flexion
  2. medially rotate & abduct a flexed thigh
  3. tenses IT tract to support femur on the tibia during standing
bulletBlood:
  1. superior gluteal artery
  2. lateral femoral circumflex artery
bulletNerve: superior gluteal nerve, L4,5,S1


Gluteus maximus

bulletOrigin:
  1. outer rim of ilium (medial aspect)
  2. dorsal surface of sacrum and coccyx
  3. sacrotuberous ligament
bulletInsertion:
  1. IT band (primary insertion)
  2. gluteal tuberosity of femur
bulletAction:
  1. powerful extensor of hip
  2. laterally rotates thigh
  3. upper fibers aid in abduction of thigh
  4. fibers of IT band stabilize a fully extended knee
bulletBlood:
  1. inferior gluteal artery (primary)
  2. superior gluteal artery
bulletNerve: inferior gluteal nerve, L5,S1,2


Gluteus medius

bulletOrigin:
  1. outer aspect of ilium (between iliac crest and anterior and posterior gluteal lines)
  2. upper fascia (AKA gluteal aponeurosis)
bulletInsertion: superior aspect of greater trochanter
bulletAction:
  1. anterior and lateral fibers abduct and medially rotate the thigh
  2. posterior fibers may laterally rotate thigh
  3. stabilizes the pelvis and prevents free limb from sagging during gait
bulletBlood: superior gluteal artery
bulletNerve: superior gluteal nerve, L4,5,S1


Gluteus minimus

bulletOrigin: outer aspect of ilium (between anterior and inferior gluteal lines)
bulletInsertion:
  1. greater trochanter (anterior to medius)
  2. articular capsule of hip joint
bulletAction:
  1. abduct and medially rotate the thigh
  2. stabilizes the pelvis and prevents free limb from sagging during gait
bulletBlood: superior gluteal artery
bulletNerve: superior gluteal nerve, L4,5,S1


Piriformis

bulletOrigin: pelvic surface of sacrum (anterior portion)
bulletInsertion: medial surface of greater trochanter (through greater sciatic foramen)
bulletAction:
  1. lateral rotation of extended thigh
  2. abducts a flexed thigh
bulletBlood:
  1. superior gluteal artery
  2. inferior gluteal artery
bulletNerve: nerve to piriformis, S1,2


Superior gemellus

bulletOrigin: ischial spine
bulletInsertion: medial aspect of greater trochanter via upper tendon of obturator internus
bulletAction:
  1. laterally rotates femur
  2. abducts thigh when flexed
bulletBlood: inferior gluteal artery
bulletNerve: nerve to obturator internus, L5,S1,2


Obturator internus

bulletOrigin:
  1. internal aspect margins of obturator foramen
  2. obturator membrane
bulletInsertion: medial aspect of greater trochanter (through lesser sciatic foramen)
bulletAction:
  1. laterally rotates femur
  2. abducts thigh when flexed
bulletBlood: inferior gluteal artery
bulletNerve: nerve to obturator internus, L5,S1,2


Inferior gemellus

bulletOrigin: ischial tuberosity
bulletInsertion: medial aspect of greater trochanter via lower tendon of obturator internus
bulletAction: laterally rotates femur
bulletBlood: inferior gluteal artery
bulletNerve: nerve to quadratus femoris, L4,5,S1


Quadratus femoris

bulletOrigin: lateral aspect of ischial tuberosity
bulletInsertion: quadrate line (along posterior aspect of femur and intertrochanteric crest)
bulletAction: laterally rotates femur
bulletBlood: inferior gluteal artery
bulletNerve: nerve to quadratus femoris, L4,5,S1


Posterior Thigh Musculature

 

Semitendinosus

bulletOrigin: ischial tuberosity
bulletInsertion:
  1. medial aspect of tibial shaft
  2. contributes to the pez anserine
bulletAction:
  1. extends hip
  2. flexes knee
  3. medially rotates tibia
bulletBlood:
  1. perforating branches of profunda femoris
  2. inferior gluteal artery (to upper)
bulletNerve: tibial nerve of sciatic bundle, L5,S1,2


Semimembranosus

bulletOrigin: ischial tuberosity
bulletInsertion:
  1. posterior medial aspect of medial tibial condyle
  2. fibers join to form most of oblique popliteal ligament (& medial meniscus)
bulletAction:
  1. flexes knee
  2. extends hip
  3. medially rotates tibia
  4. pulls medial meniscus posterior during flexion
bulletBlood:
  1. perforating branches of profunda femoris
  2. inferior gluteal artery (to upper)
bulletNerve: tibial nerve of sciatic bundle, L5,S1,2


Biceps femoris

bulletOrigin:
  1. long head: ischial tuberosity
  2. short head: lateral lip of linea aspera and the lateral intermuscular septum
bulletInsertion:
  1. head of fibula
  2. maybe to the lateral tibial condyle
bulletAction:
  1. flexor at the knee (mainly short head)
  2. laterally rotates thigh if flexed at the knee
  3. extends hip (long head)
bulletBlood:
  1. perforating branches of profunda femoris
  2. inferior gluteal artery (to upper)
bulletNerve:
  1. long head - tibial nerve, L5,S1,2
  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

bulletOrigin: anterior surface of pubis, just inferior to the pubic tubercle
bulletInsertion: medial lip of linea aspera on middle half of femur
bulletAction:
  1. adducts thigh
  2. flexes thigh
  3. may laterally rotate thigh at the hip
bulletBlood: muscular branches of femoral artery
bulletNerve: obturator nerve, L2,3,4


Adductor brevis

bulletOrigin: body & inferior ramus of pubis
bulletInsertion: superior portion of linea aspera
bulletAction:
  1. adducts thigh (major)
  2. aids in flexion of thigh
  3. may laterally rotate thigh at the hip
bulletBlood: muscular branches of femoral artery
bulletNerve: obturator nerve, L2,3,4


Adductor magnus

bulletOrigin:
  1. anterior fibers: inferior pubic ramus
  2. oblique fibers: ischial ramus
  3. posterior fibers: ischial tuberosity
bulletInsertion:
  1. proximal 1/3 of linea aspera
  2. adductor tubercle
bulletAction:
  1. adducts the thigh
  2. posterior fibers also extend and laterally rotate thigh
bulletBlood:
  1. muscular branches of profunda femoris
bulletNerve:
  1. anterior fibers: obturator nerve, L2,3,4
  2. posterior fibers: tibial nerve of sciatic bundle, L4,5


Gracilis

bulletOrigin: body of pubis & inferior pubic ramus
bulletInsertion:
  1. medial surface of proximal tibia, inferior to tibial condyle
  2. contributes to the pez anserine
bulletAction:
  1. adducts thigh
  2. flexes knee
  3. medially rotates tibia
bulletBlood: obturator artery
bulletNerve: obturator nerve, L2,3,4


Obturator externus

bulletOrigin:
  1. medial surface of obturator foramen
  2. external surface of obturator membrane
bulletInsertion: trochanteric fossa of femur
bulletAction:
  1. laterally rotates thigh
  2. assists in flexion of hip joint
bulletBlood: obturator artery
bulletNerve: obturator nerve, L2,3,4


Anterior Thigh Musculature

 

Sartorius

bulletOrigin: anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS)
bulletInsertion:
  1. upper medial surface of body of tibia
  2. contributes to pez anserine
bulletAction:
  1. flexes hip and knee
  2. laterally rotates thigh if flexed at the hip
bulletBlood:
  1. muscular branches of profunda femoris artery
  2. saphenous branch of descending genicular artery
bulletNerve: branches of femoral nerve, L2,3


Rectus femoris

bulletOrigin:
  1. anterior head: anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS)
  2. posterior head: ilium just above the acetabulum
bulletInsertion:
  1. common quadriceps tendon into patella
  2. tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
bulletAction:
  1. extends knee
  2. flexes hip
bulletBlood: lateral femoral circumflex artery
bulletNerve: branches of femoral nerve, [L2],3,4


Vastus lateralis

bulletOrigin:
  1. greater trochanter
  2. lateral lip of linea aspera
  3. lateral intermuscular septum
bulletInsertion:
  1. common quadriceps tendon into patella
  2. tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
bulletAction:
  1. extends knee
  2. can abnormally displace patella
bulletBlood: lateral femoral circumflex artery
bulletNerve: branches of femoral nerve, [L2],3,4


Vastus intermedius

bulletOrigin: anterior lateral aspect of the femoral shaft
bulletInsertion:
  1. common quadriceps tendon into patella
  2. tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
bulletAction: extends knee
bulletBlood: lateral femoral circumflex artery
bulletNerve: branches of femoral nerve, [L2],3,4


Vastus medialis

bulletOrigin:
  1. intertrochanteric line of femur
  2. medial aspect of linea aspera
bulletInsertion:
  1. common quadriceps tendon into patella
  2. tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
bulletAction: extends knee
bulletBlood:
  1. muscular branches of profunda femoris artery
  2. saphenous branch of descending genicular artery
bulletNerve: branches of femoral nerve, [L2],3,4


Articularis genus

bulletOrigin:
  1. distal portion of anterior femoral surface, close to the knee
  2. off the deep fibers of the vastus intermedius
bulletInsertion: synovial membrane of the knee joint
bulletAction:
  1. pulls the synovial membrane of the knee superior with knee extension
  2. prevents impingement of the synovial membrane between patella and the femur
bulletBlood: lateral femoral circumflex artery
bulletNerve: branches of femoral nerve, L3,4


Psoas major

bulletOrigin:
  1. transverse processes of L1-L5
  2. vertebral bodies of T12-L4 and the intervening intervertebral discs
bulletInsertion: iliopsoas tendon to the lesser trochanter of the femur
bulletAction:
  1. hip flexion
  2. lateral rotation
bulletBlood: muscular branches of medial femoral circumflex artery
bulletNerve: ventral rami, L1,2,3


Illiacus

bulletOrigin: inner surface of upper iliac fossa
bulletInsertion: iliopsoas tendon to the lesser trochanter of the femur
bulletAction:
  1. powerful hip flexion
  2. lateral rotation
bulletBlood: muscular branches of medial femoral circumflex artery
bulletNerve: femoral nerve, L3,4


Pectineus

bulletOrigin:
  1. pectineal line of the pubis
  2. superior pubic ramus
bulletInsertion:
bulletthe pectineal line of the femur
bullet(just below the lesser trochanter on the posterior aspect of the femur)
bulletAction:
  1. flexes hip
  2. adducts thigh
  3. medially rotates thigh
bulletBlood: muscular branches of medial femoral circumflex artery
bulletNerve:
bulletfemoral nerve, L3,4 OR
bulletobturator nerve, L2,3,4 OR
bulletfemoral L3,4 and accessory obturator L3,4


Posterior Leg Musculature

 

Gastrocnemius

bulletOrigin:
  1. medial head: just above medial condyle of femur
  2. lateral head: just above lateral condyle of femur
bulletInsertion: calcaneus via lateral portion of calcaneal tendon
bulletAction:
  1. plantarflex the ankle
  2. knee flexion (when not weight bearing)
  3. stabilizes ankle & knee when standing
bulletBlood:
  1. sural branches of popliteal artery
  2. muscular branches of peroneal artery
  3. posterior tibial artery
bulletNerve: tibial nerve, S1,2


Soleus

bulletOrigin:
  1. upper fibula
  2. soleal line of tibia
bulletInsertion: calcaneus via medial portion of calcaneal tendon
bulletAction: plantarflex the foot
bulletBlood:
  1. sural branches of popliteal artery
  2. muscular branches of peroneal artery
  3. posterior tibial artery
bulletNerve: tibial nerve, S1,2


Plantaris

bulletOrigin: above the lateral head of gastrocnemius on femur
bulletInsertion: calcaneus, medial to calcaneal tendon, or blending with the calcaneal tendon
bulletAction: like a weak gastrocnemius
bulletBlood:
  1. sural branches of popliteal artery
  2. muscular branches of peroneal artery
  3. posterior tibial artery
bulletNerve: tibial nerve, S1,2


Popliteus

bulletOrigin:
  1. lateral femoral condyle
  2. arcuate popliteal ligament
  3. lateral meniscus
  4. knee joint capsule
bulletInsertion: posterior tibial surface above the soleal line
bulletAction:
  1. insertion fixed: laterally rotates femur on tibia & unlocks knee
  2. origin fixed: medially rotates tibia on femur & unlocks knee
bulletBlood: sural branches of popliteal artery
bulletNerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1


Flexor digitorum longus

bulletOrigin:
  1. posterior surface of tibia
  2. crural fascia
bulletInsertion: plantar surface of bases of the 2-5th distal phalanges
bulletAction:
  1. primarily flexes 2nd - 5th toes
  2. weak plantarflexor
  3. weak inversion & adduction of foot
bulletBlood:
  1. peroneal artery
  2. posterior tibial artery
bulletNerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1


Tibialis posterior

bulletOrigin:
  1. posterior, proximal tibia
  2. interosseous membrane
  3. medial surface of fibula
bulletInsertion:
  1. navicular tuberosity (principle)
  2. all 3 cuneiforms (plantar surface)
  3. bases of 2nd-4th metatarsals
  4. cuboid
  5. sustentaculum tali of calcaneus
bulletAction:
  1. stabilizes ankle
  2. inversion & adduction of foot
  3. prevents hyperpronation while in gait
  4. weak plantarflexion of ankle
bulletBlood:
  1. peroneal artery
  2. posterior tibial artery
bulletNerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1


Flexor hallucis longus

bulletOrigin:
  1. posterior, inferior 2/3 of fibula
  2. interosseous membrane
  3. crural fascia & posterior intermuscular septum
bulletInsertion: plantar surface of distal phalanx of hallux
bulletAction:
  1. flexes big toe (hallux)
  2. weak plantarflexion of the foot
  3. weak inversion & adduction of foot
bulletBlood:
  1. peroneal artery
  2. posterior tibial artery
bulletNerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1,2


Anterolateral Leg Musculature

 

Peroneus longus

bulletOrigin:
  1. head of the fibula
  2. proximal 2/3 of lateral fibula
  3. adjacent intermuscular septum
bulletInsertion:
  1. plantar surface of cuboid
  2. base of 1st & (2nd) metatarsal
  3. plantar surface of medial cuneiform
bulletAction:
  1. eversion & abduction of the foot
  2. weak plantarflexion of the foot at the transverse tarsal joint
bulletBlood: muscular branches of the peroneal artery
bulletNerve: superficial peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1


Peroneus brevis

bulletOrigin:
  1. distal 2/3 of lateral fibula
  2. posterior and anterior intermuscular septum
bulletInsertion: tuberosity on lateral aspect of base of 5th metatarsal
bulletAction:
  1. eversion & abduction of the foot
  2. weak plantarflexion of foot
bulletBlood: muscular branches of the peroneal artery
bulletNerve: superficial peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1


Tibialis anterior

bulletOrigin:
  1. lateral tibial condyle
  2. proximal 2/3 of anteriolateral surface of tibia
  3. interosseous membrane
  4. anterior intermuscular septum & crural fascia
bulletInsertion:
  1. medial & plantar surface of base of 1st metatarsal
  2. medial & plantar surface of the cuneiform
bulletAction:
  1. strongest dorsiflexor
  2. inverts & adducts the foot
bulletBlood: anterior tibial artery
bulletNerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1


Extensor hallucis longus

bulletOrigin:
  1. medial aspect of the fibula
  2. interosseous membrane
  3. crural fascia
bulletInsertion: dorsal surface of base of proximal and distal phalanx of hallux
bulletAction:
  1. extends distal phalanx of big toe
  2. weak dorsiflexor
  3. weak inversion & adduction
bulletBlood: anterior tibial artery
bulletNerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1


Extensor digitorum longus

bulletOrigin:
  1. lateral condyle of the tibia
  2. upper anterior surface of fibula
  3. interosseous membrane
  4. crural fascia
bulletInsertion:
bulletdorsal surface of the bases of the middle & distal phalanxes of the 2nd-5th rays
bullet(via 4 tendons and giving a fibrous expansion)
bulletAction:
  1. extends the lateral 4 toes
  2. weak dorsiflexor & everts foot
bulletBlood: anterior tibial artery
bulletNerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1


Peroneus tertius

bulletOrigin:
  1. distal 1/3 of anterior fibula
  2. distal & lateral aspect of extensor digitorum
bulletInsertion: dorsal surface of base of 5th metatarsal
bulletAction:
  1. extends the 5th toe
  2. weak dorsiflexor & everts foot
bulletBlood: anterior tibial artery
bulletNerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1


Foot Musculature

 

Abductor hallucis

bulletOrigin:
  1. medial process of calcaneal tuberosity
  2. flexor retinaculum
  3. plantar aponeurosis
  4. medial intermuscular septum
bulletInsertion: medial aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux
bulletAction:
  1. flexes the big toe (primary action)
  2. may assist in abduction of big toe
bulletBlood: medial plantar artery
bulletNerve: medial plantar nerve, L5,S1


Flexor digitorum brevis

bulletOrigin:
  1. medial process of calcaneal tuberosity
  2. plantar aponeurosis
bulletInsertion:
bulletboth sides of the bases of the middle phalanx of rays 2-5
bullet(each of the 4 tendons splits forming tunnel for FDL)
bulletAction: flexes toes 2-5
bulletBlood: medial plantar artery
bulletNerve: medial plantar nerve, L5,S1


Abductor digiti minimi

bulletOrigin:
  1. lateral & medial processes of the calcaneal tuberosity
  2. plantar aponeurosis
  3. lateral intermuscular septum
bulletInsertion: lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of 5th ray
bulletAction:
  1. abducts 5th toe
  2. aids in flexing
bulletBlood: lateral plantar artery
bulletNerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2


Abductor ossis metatarsi quinti

bulletOrigin: from fibers of abductor digiti minimi
bulletInsertion: into the 5th metatarsal
bulletAction: abducts the 5th ray
bulletBlood: lateral plantar artery
bulletNerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2


Quadratus plantae

bulletOrigin:
  1. medial head: medial calcaneus
  2. lateral head: lateral calcaneus & long plantar ligament
bulletInsertion:
bulletlateral margin of tendon of flexor digitorum longus (FDL)
bulletmay send slips into the distal tendons
bulletAction:
  1. assists FDL in flexing the distal phalanxes of 2nd-5th toes
  2. corrects FDL from pulling toes medially
bulletBlood: lateral plantar artery
bulletNerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2


Lumbricals

bulletOrigin: from tendons of FDL:
  1. 1st: medial aspect of tendon to 2nd ray
  2. 2nd-4th: two heads between the tendons in which they lie
bulletInsertion: extensor tendons of EDL on dorsal foot
bulletAction:
  1. flex proximal phalanges at MTP
  2. extend middle & distal phalanges at IP
bulletBlood:
  1. 1st: medial plantar artery
  2. 2nd-4th: lateral plantar artery
bulletNerve:
  1. 1st: medial plantar nerve, L5,S1
  2. 2nd-4th: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2


Flexor hallucis brevis

bulletOrigin:
  1. medial aspect of the cuboid
  2. lateral cuneiform
bulletInsertion:
  1. medial aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux
  2. lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux
bulletAction: flexes hallux at MTP
bulletBlood: medial plantar artery
bulletNerve: medial plantar nerve, L5,S1


Adductor hallucis

bulletOrigin:
  1. oblique head: base of 2nd-4th metatarsals & long plantar ligament
  2. transverse head: deep transverse metatarsal ligament & plantar ligaments at MTP joints
bulletInsertion: lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux
bulletAction:
  1. adduction of hallux at MTP
  2. flexes hallux at MTP
bulletBlood: lateral plantar artery
bulletNerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2


Flexor digiti minimi brevis

bulletOrigin:
  1. base of 5th metatarsal
  2. digital sheath of peroneus longus
bulletInsertion: lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of 5th ray
bulletAction: flexes the 5th toe at MTP
bulletBlood: lateral plantar artery
bulletNerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2


Plantar interossei (3 muscles)

bulletOrigin: medial aspect of 3rd-5th metatarsals (each muscle has a single head)
bulletInsertion: medial aspect of base of proximal phalanx of the same ray (of 3rd-5th rays)
bulletAction:
  1. adduct toes 3-5
  2. flex toes 3-5 at MTP
bulletBlood: lateral plantar arch
bulletNerve: lateral plantar nerve (deep branch), S1,2


Dorsal interossei (4 muscles)

bulletOrigin: from both metatarsals between which they lie
bulletInsertion: base of proximal phalanx closest to the axis of the foot (2nd ray)
bulletAction:
  1. abduct toes 2-4
  2. flexes toes 2-4 at MTP
bulletBlood: lateral plantar arch
bulletNerve: lateral plantar nerve (deep branch), S1,2


Extensor hallucis brevis

bulletOrigin:
  1. upper anterolateral calcaneus
  2. inferior extensor retinaculum
bulletInsertion: base of proximal phalanx of hallux
bulletAction: extends hallux
bulletBlood: dorsalis pedis artery
bulletNerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5


Extensor digitorum brevis

bulletOrigin:
  1. upper anterolateral calcaneus
  2. inferior extensor retinaculum
bulletInsertion: middle & distal phalanges of 2nd-4th rays (via EDL)
bulletAction: extends 2nd-4th rays
bulletBlood: dorsalis pedis artery
bulletNerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5