Posterior Of thigh

s a group, the muscles of the posterior compartment of the thigh are called the hamstrings. To be called a hamstring, the muscle must arise from the ischial tuberosity. The hamstrings are: biceps femoris (long head) semimembranosus semitendinosus hamstring part of the adductor magnus (not shown in the diagram)

Nerves

The muscles of the posterior compartment of the thigh are innervated by the tibial (medial) part of the sciatic nerve.  The short head of the biceps is innervated by a branch of the common peroneal nerve.

Arteries

The arteries of the posterior compartment of the thigh arise from two major arteries: inferior gluteal (upper posterior compartment) perforating branches of the profunda femoris

Table of Muscles

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Action	Nerve Supply
biceps femoris, long head	ischial tuberosity	head of fibula	flexes and laterally rotates leg, extends thigh	tibial part of sciatic nerve
biceps femoris, short head	shaft of femur	head of fibula	flexes and laterally rotates leg	common peroneal nerve
semitendinosus	ischial tuberosity	upper part medial surface of tibia	flexes and medially rotates leg; extends thigh	tibial part of sciatic
semimembranosus	ischial tuberosity	medial condyle of tibia;  forms oblique popliteal ligament	flexes and medially roates leg; extends thigh	tibial part of sciatic
adductor magnus (hamstring part)	ischial tuberosity	adductor tubercle of femur	extends thigh	tibial part of sciatic

Popliteal Fossa

The popliteal fossa is an anatomical region behind the knee with certain identifiable boundaries.

Start by identifying the bony background of the popliteal fossa and then visualizing the boundaries. The bones of the popliteal fossa are: femur medial condyle lateral condyle tibia medial condyle lateral condyle The boundaries are: superior and medial - semitendinosus (ST) inferior and medial - medial head of gastrocnemius (MG) superior and lateral - biceps femoris (B) inferior and lateral - lateral head of gastrocnemius (LG)
The muscles and contents of the popliteal fossa are: Muscles semitendinosus biceps femoris medial head of gastrocnemius lateral head of gastrocnemius Arteries popliteal artery - continuation of femoral artery superior medial and lateral genicular arteries inferior medial and lateral genicular arteries Nerves tibial nerve common peroneal nerve
With the nerves and arteries removed and the muscles reflected, you now identify the structures making up the floor of the popliteal fossa: posterior surface of femur posterior surface of tibia oblique popliteal ligament popliteus muscle

Table of Muscles

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Practice Examination 

Medial Thigh

Anterior Leg & Dorsum of Foot