Thigh to Foot Musculature

Muscle Regions of the Body:

• Head and neck
• Trunk, front and back
• Brachium, antibrachium & hand
• Thigh, leg & foot

Return to the Muscle Starting Point  Muscle Groups within this Region:

• Gluteal
• Posterior Thigh
• Adductor Thigh
• Anterior Thigh
• Posterior Leg
• Anterolateral Leg
• Foot

Links Related to this Region:

• Normal Distal Thigh Anatomy I (from UW)
• Normal Distal Thigh Anatomy II (from UW)
• Normal Knee Anatomy (from UW)
• Iliotibial Band Syndrome
• Hallux Valgus Tutorial (from UW)

Gluteal Musculature

 

Tensor fascia lata

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

Gluteus maximus

• Origin:
  
  
  1. outer rim of ilium (medial aspect)
  2. dorsal surface of sacrum and coccyx
  3. sacrotuberous ligament
• Insertion:
  
  
  1. IT band (primary insertion)
  2. gluteal tuberosity of femur
• Action:
  
  
  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
• Blood:
  
  
  1. inferior gluteal artery (primary)
  2. superior gluteal artery
• Nerve: inferior gluteal nerve, L5,S1,2

Gluteus medius

• Origin:
  
  
  1. outer aspect of ilium (between iliac crest and anterior and posterior gluteal lines)
  2. upper fascia (AKA gluteal aponeurosis)
• Insertion: superior aspect of greater trochanter
• Action:
  
  
  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
• 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:
  
  
  1. greater trochanter (anterior to medius)
  2. articular capsule of hip joint
• Action:
  
  
  1. abduct and medially rotate the thigh
  2. 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:
  
  
  1. lateral rotation of extended thigh
  2. abducts a flexed thigh
• Blood:
  
  
  1. superior gluteal artery
  2. 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:
  
  
  1. laterally rotates femur
  2. abducts thigh when flexed
• Blood: inferior gluteal artery
• Nerve: nerve to obturator internus, L5,S1,2

Obturator internus

• Origin:
  
  
  1. internal aspect margins of obturator foramen
  2. obturator membrane
• Insertion: medial aspect of greater trochanter (through lesser sciatic foramen)
• Action:
  
  
  1. laterally rotates femur
  2. 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:
  
  
  1. medial aspect of tibial shaft
  2. contributes to the pez anserine
• Action:
  
  
  1. extends hip
  2. flexes knee
  3. medially rotates tibia
• Blood:
  
  
  1. perforating branches of profunda femoris
  2. inferior gluteal artery (to upper)
• Nerve: tibial nerve of sciatic bundle, L5,S1,2

Semimembranosus

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

Biceps femoris

• Origin:
  
  
  1. long head: ischial tuberosity
  2. short head: lateral lip of linea aspera and the lateral intermuscular septum
• Insertion:
  
  
  1. head of fibula
  2. maybe to the lateral tibial condyle
• Action:
  
  
  1. flexor at the knee (mainly short head)
  2. laterally rotates thigh if flexed at the knee
  3. extends hip (long head)
• Blood:
  
  
  1. perforating branches of profunda femoris
  2. inferior gluteal artery (to upper)
• Nerve:
  
  
  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

• Origin: anterior surface of pubis, just inferior to the pubic tubercle
• Insertion: medial lip of linea aspera on middle half of femur
• Action:
  
  
  1. adducts thigh
  2. flexes thigh
  3. 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:
  
  
  1. adducts thigh (major)
  2. aids in flexion of thigh
  3. may laterally rotate thigh at the hip
• Blood: muscular branches of femoral artery
• Nerve: obturator nerve, L2,3,4

Adductor magnus

• Origin:
  
  
  1. anterior fibers: inferior pubic ramus
  2. oblique fibers: ischial ramus
  3. posterior fibers: ischial tuberosity
• Insertion:
  
  
  1. proximal 1/3 of linea aspera
  2. adductor tubercle
• Action:
  
  
  1. adducts the thigh
  2. posterior fibers also extend and laterally rotate thigh
• Blood:
  
  
  1. muscular branches of profunda femoris
• Nerve:
  
  
  1. anterior fibers: obturator nerve, L2,3,4
  2. posterior fibers: tibial nerve of sciatic bundle, L4,5

Gracilis

• Origin: body of pubis & inferior pubic ramus
• Insertion:
  
  
  1. medial surface of proximal tibia, inferior to tibial condyle
  2. contributes to the pez anserine
• Action:
  
  
  1. adducts thigh
  2. flexes knee
  3. medially rotates tibia
• Blood: obturator artery
• Nerve: obturator nerve, L2,3,4

Obturator externus

• Origin:
  
  
  1. medial surface of obturator foramen
  2. external surface of obturator membrane
• Insertion: trochanteric fossa of femur
• Action:
  
  
  1. laterally rotates thigh
  2. 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:
  
  
  1. upper medial surface of body of tibia
  2. contributes to pez anserine
• Action:
  
  
  1. flexes hip and knee
  2. laterally rotates thigh if flexed at the hip
• Blood:
  
  
  1. muscular branches of profunda femoris artery
  2. saphenous branch of descending genicular artery
• Nerve: branches of femoral nerve, L2,3

Rectus femoris

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

Vastus lateralis

• Origin:
  
  
  1. greater trochanter
  2. lateral lip of linea aspera
  3. lateral intermuscular septum
• Insertion:
  
  
  1. common quadriceps tendon into patella
  2. tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
• Action:
  
  
  1. extends knee
  2. 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:
  
  
  1. common quadriceps tendon into patella
  2. tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
• Action: extends knee
• Blood: lateral femoral circumflex artery
• Nerve: branches of femoral nerve, [L2],3,4

Vastus medialis

• Origin:
  
  
  1. intertrochanteric line of femur
  2. medial aspect of linea aspera
• Insertion:
  
  
  1. common quadriceps tendon into patella
  2. tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
• Action: extends knee
• Blood:
  
  
  1. muscular branches of profunda femoris artery
  2. saphenous branch of descending genicular artery
• Nerve: branches of femoral nerve, [L2],3,4

Articularis genus

• Origin:
  
  
  1. distal portion of anterior femoral surface, close to the knee
  2. off the deep fibers of the vastus intermedius
• Insertion: synovial membrane of the knee joint
• Action:
  
  
  1. pulls the synovial membrane of the knee superior with knee extension
  2. 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:
  
  
  1. transverse processes of L1-L5
  2. vertebral bodies of T12-L4 and the intervening intervertebral discs
• Insertion: iliopsoas tendon to the lesser trochanter of the femur
• Action:
  
  
  1. hip flexion
  2. 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:
  
  
  1. powerful hip flexion
  2. lateral rotation
• Blood: muscular branches of medial femoral circumflex artery
• Nerve: femoral nerve, L3,4

Pectineus

• Origin:
  
  
  1. pectineal line of the pubis
  2. superior pubic ramus
• Insertion:
  
  
  • the pectineal line of the femur
  • (just below the lesser trochanter on the posterior aspect of the femur)
• Action:
  
  
  1. flexes hip
  2. adducts thigh
  3. 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:
    
    
    1. medial head: just above medial condyle of femur
    2. lateral head: just above lateral condyle of femur
  • Insertion: calcaneus via lateral portion of calcaneal tendon
  • Action:
    
    
    1. plantarflex the ankle
    2. knee flexion (when not weight bearing)
    3. stabilizes ankle & knee when standing
  • Blood:
    
    
    1. sural branches of popliteal artery
    2. muscular branches of peroneal artery
    3. posterior tibial artery
  • Nerve: tibial nerve, S1,2
  Soleus
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. upper fibula
    2. soleal line of tibia
  • Insertion: calcaneus via medial portion of calcaneal tendon
  • Action: plantarflex the foot
  • Blood:
    
    
    1. sural branches of popliteal artery
    2. muscular branches of peroneal artery
    3. 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:
    
    
    1. sural branches of popliteal artery
    2. muscular branches of peroneal artery
    3. posterior tibial artery
  • Nerve: tibial nerve, S1,2
  Popliteus
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. lateral femoral condyle
    2. arcuate popliteal ligament
    3. lateral meniscus
    4. knee joint capsule
  • Insertion: posterior tibial surface above the soleal line
  • Action:
    
    
    1. insertion fixed: laterally rotates femur on tibia & unlocks knee
    2. origin fixed: medially rotates tibia on femur & unlocks knee
  • Blood: sural branches of popliteal artery
  • Nerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1
  Flexor digitorum longus
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. posterior surface of tibia
    2. crural fascia
  • Insertion: plantar surface of bases of the 2-5th distal phalanges
  • Action:
    
    
    1. primarily flexes 2nd - 5th toes
    2. weak plantarflexor
    3. weak inversion & adduction of foot
  • Blood:
    
    
    1. peroneal artery
    2. posterior tibial artery
  • Nerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1
  Tibialis posterior
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. posterior, proximal tibia
    2. interosseous membrane
    3. medial surface of fibula
  • Insertion:
    
    
    1. navicular tuberosity (principle)
    2. all 3 cuneiforms (plantar surface)
    3. bases of 2nd-4th metatarsals
    4. cuboid
    5. sustentaculum tali of calcaneus
  • Action:
    
    
    1. stabilizes ankle
    2. inversion & adduction of foot
    3. prevents hyperpronation while in gait
    4. weak plantarflexion of ankle
  • Blood:
    
    
    1. peroneal artery
    2. posterior tibial artery
  • Nerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1
  Flexor hallucis longus
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. posterior, inferior 2/3 of fibula
    2. interosseous membrane
    3. crural fascia & posterior intermuscular septum
  • Insertion: plantar surface of distal phalanx of hallux
  • Action:
    
    
    1. flexes big toe (hallux)
    2. weak plantarflexion of the foot
    3. weak inversion & adduction of foot
  • Blood:
    
    
    1. peroneal artery
    2. posterior tibial artery
  • Nerve: tibial nerve, L5,S1,2
  
  
  
  

  Anterolateral Leg Musculature

  
  
  
   
  Peroneus longus
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. head of the fibula
    2. proximal 2/3 of lateral fibula
    3. adjacent intermuscular septum
  • Insertion:
    
    
    1. plantar surface of cuboid
    2. base of 1st & (2nd) metatarsal
    3. plantar surface of medial cuneiform
  • Action:
    
    
    1. eversion & abduction of the foot
    2. 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:
    
    
    1. distal 2/3 of lateral fibula
    2. posterior and anterior intermuscular septum
  • Insertion: tuberosity on lateral aspect of base of 5th metatarsal
  • Action:
    
    
    1. eversion & abduction of the foot
    2. weak plantarflexion of foot
  • Blood: muscular branches of the peroneal artery
  • Nerve: superficial peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1
  Tibialis anterior
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. lateral tibial condyle
    2. proximal 2/3 of anteriolateral surface of tibia
    3. interosseous membrane
    4. anterior intermuscular septum & crural fascia
  • Insertion:
    
    
    1. medial & plantar surface of base of 1st metatarsal
    2. medial & plantar surface of the cuneiform
  • Action:
    
    
    1. strongest dorsiflexor
    2. inverts & adducts the foot
  • Blood: anterior tibial artery
  • Nerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1
  Extensor hallucis longus
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. medial aspect of the fibula
    2. interosseous membrane
    3. crural fascia
  • Insertion: dorsal surface of base of proximal and distal phalanx of hallux
  • Action:
    
    
    1. extends distal phalanx of big toe
    2. weak dorsiflexor
    3. weak inversion & adduction
  • Blood: anterior tibial artery
  • Nerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1
  Extensor digitorum longus
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. lateral condyle of the tibia
    2. upper anterior surface of fibula
    3. interosseous membrane
    4. 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:
    
    
    1. extends the lateral 4 toes
    2. weak dorsiflexor & everts foot
  • Blood: anterior tibial artery
  • Nerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1
  Peroneus tertius
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. distal 1/3 of anterior fibula
    2. distal & lateral aspect of extensor digitorum
  • Insertion: dorsal surface of base of 5th metatarsal
  • Action:
    
    
    1. extends the 5th toe
    2. weak dorsiflexor & everts foot
  • Blood: anterior tibial artery
  • Nerve: deep peroneal nerve, L4,5,S1
  
  
  
  

  Foot Musculature

  
  
  
   
  Abductor hallucis
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. medial process of calcaneal tuberosity
    2. flexor retinaculum
    3. plantar aponeurosis
    4. medial intermuscular septum
  • Insertion: medial aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux
  • Action:
    
    
    1. flexes the big toe (primary action)
    2. may assist in abduction of big toe
  • Blood: medial plantar artery
  • Nerve: medial plantar nerve, L5,S1
  Flexor digitorum brevis
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. medial process of calcaneal tuberosity
    2. 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:
    
    
    1. lateral & medial processes of the calcaneal tuberosity
    2. plantar aponeurosis
    3. lateral intermuscular septum
  • Insertion: lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of 5th ray
  • Action:
    
    
    1. abducts 5th toe
    2. 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:
    
    
    1. medial head: medial calcaneus
    2. 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:
    
    
    1. assists FDL in flexing the distal phalanxes of 2nd-5th toes
    2. corrects FDL from pulling toes medially
  • Blood: lateral plantar artery
  • Nerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2
  Lumbricals
  
  
  
  • Origin: 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
  • Insertion: extensor tendons of EDL on dorsal foot
  • Action:
    
    
    1. flex proximal phalanges at MTP
    2. extend middle & distal phalanges at IP
  • Blood:
    
    
    1. 1st: medial plantar artery
    2. 2nd-4th: lateral plantar artery
  • Nerve:
    
    
    1. 1st: medial plantar nerve, L5,S1
    2. 2nd-4th: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2
  Flexor hallucis brevis
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. medial aspect of the cuboid
    2. lateral cuneiform
  • Insertion:
    
    
    1. medial aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux
    2. 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:
    
    
    1. oblique head: base of 2nd-4th metatarsals & long plantar ligament
    2. transverse head: deep transverse metatarsal ligament & plantar ligaments at MTP joints
  • Insertion: lateral aspect of base of proximal phalanx of hallux
  • Action:
    
    
    1. adduction of hallux at MTP
    2. flexes hallux at MTP
  • Blood: lateral plantar artery
  • Nerve: lateral plantar nerve, S1,2
  Flexor digiti minimi brevis
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. base of 5th metatarsal
    2. 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:
    
    
    1. adduct toes 3-5
    2. 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:
    
    
    1. abduct toes 2-4
    2. flexes toes 2-4 at MTP
  • Blood: lateral plantar arch
  • Nerve: lateral plantar nerve (deep branch), S1,2
  Extensor hallucis brevis
  
  
  
  • Origin:
    
    
    1. upper anterolateral calcaneus
    2. 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:
    
    
    1. upper anterolateral calcaneus
    2. 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