Muscles that Cause Movement at the Hip Joint
Gluteal Group
act mainly to abduct and extend the thigh at the hip.
Muscle
Gluteus Maximus
Action
extends the thigh;
laterally rotates the
femur
Innervation
inferior gluteal
nerve
Gluteus Medius
abducts the femur;
medially rotates the
thigh
superior gluteal
nerve
Gluteus Minimus
abducts the femur;
medially rotates the
thigh
superior gluteal
nerve
Location
Lateral Rotator Group
act to laterally rotate the thigh at the hip. All of the lateral rotator group muscles
originate from the pelvis and attach to the femur
Muscle
Piriformis
Action
laterally rotates and
abducts thigh
Innervation
ventral rami of S1S2
Obturator Internus
laterally rotates and
abducts the thigh
nerve to the
obturator internus
m.
Location
Gemelli
gemellus, inferior
gemellus, superior
laterally rotates the
femur
G Inf: nerve to the
quadratus femoris
m.
G Sup: nerve to
the obturator
internus m.
Quadratus Femoris
-Lateral rotation of
the thigh
-major role in
extension of knee
nerve to the
quadratus femoris
m.
Adductor Group
responsible for the adduction of the thigh,
Muscle
Adductor Longus
Action
adducts, flexes,
and medially
rotates the femur
Innervation
anterior division of
the obturator nerve
Adductor Magnus
adducts, flexes,
extend and
medially rotates the
femur
posterior division of
the obturator nerve;
tibial nerve
Adductor Brevis
adducts, flexes,
and medially
rotates the femur
anterior division of
the obturator nerve
Obturator Externus
laterally rotates the
thigh
obturator nerve
Location
Gracilis
adducts, flexes and
medially rotates the
thigh, flexes the leg
anterior division of
the obturator nerve
Muscle
Psoas Major
Action
flexes the thigh
Innervation
branches of the
ventral primary rami
of spinal nerves L2L4
Iliacus
flexes the thigh
femoral nerve
Sartorius
flexes, abducts and
laterally rotates the
thigh; flexes leg
femoral nerve
Pectineus
adducts, flexes,
and medially
rotates the thigh
femoral nerve
Biceps Femoris
Extends and
laterally rotate the
thigh, flexes the leg
-long head: tibial
nerve
-short head:
common fibular
nerve
Other Muscles
Location
Muscles that Cause Movement at the Knee Joint
Anterior Muscles of the Thigh
Muscle
Sartorius
Action
flexes, abducts and
laterally rotates the
thigh; flexes leg
Innervation
femoral nerve
Quadriceps
Femoris
extends the knee;
rectus femoris
flexes the thigh
femoral nerve
Location
Posterior Muscles of the Thigh
Muscle
Biceps Femoris
Action
Extends and
laterally rotate the
thigh, flexes the leg
Innervation
-long head: tibial
nerve
-short head:
common fibular
nerve
Location
Action
flexes and rotates
the leg medially
Innervation
tibial nerve
Location
Other Muscles
Muscle
Popliteus
Muscles that Cause Movement at the Ankle
Anterior Compartment
act to dorsiflex and invert the foot at the ankle joint
Muscle
Tibialis Anterior
Action
dorsiflexes and
inverts the foot
Innervation
deep fibular
(peroneal) nerve
Extensor Digitorum
Longus
-Extension of digits
2-5
-Dorsiflexion and
eversion of the foot
deep fibular
(peroneal) nerve
Extensor Hallucis
Longus
-Extension of the
big toe,
-Dorsiflexion and
inversion of the
foot.
deep fibular
(peroneal) nerve
Location
Posterior Compartment
The majority of these muscles work to plantarflex the foot at the ankle. (typically
grouped into superficial and deep groups
Muscle
Gastrocnemius
Action
Plantarflexes the
foot, can also flex
the lower leg at the
knee but is not key
in this movement
Innervation
tibial nerve
Plantaris
Plantarflexes the
foot, can also flex
the lower leg at the
knee but is not key
in this movement.
tibial nerve
Soleus
Plantarflexes the
foot
tibial nerve
Tibialis Posterior
Inverts and
plantarflexes the
foot
tibial nerve
Location
Lateral Compartment
control eversion of the foot. Physiologically, there is a preference for the foot to invert,
so these muscles also prevent excessive inversion.
Muscle
Fibularis Longus
Action
Eversion and
plantarflexion of the
foot
Innervation
superficial fibular
(peroneal) nerve
Fibularis Brevis
plantarflexes and
everts the foot
Superficial fibular
(peroneal) nerve
Location
Muscles that Cause Movement at the Foot
Dorsal Compartment
Muscle
Extensor
Digitorum Longus
Action
-Extension of
digits 2-5
-Dorsiflexion and
eversion of the
foot
Innervation
deep fibular
(peroneal) nerve
Extensor
Digitorum Brevis
extends toes 2-4
deep fibular
(peroneal) nerve
Extensor Hallucis
Longus
-Extension of the
big toe,
-Dorsiflexion and
inversion of the
foot.
deep fibular
(peroneal) nerve
Extensor Hallucis
Brevis
extends the great
toe
deep fibular
(peroneal) nerve
Location
Dorsal Interossei
Abduct and flexes
digits two to four
deep branch of
the lateral plantar
nerve
Plantar Compartment
Muscle
Abductor Hallucis
Action
Abducts and flexes
the great toe
Innervation
medial plantar
nerve (branch of
tibial nerve
Flexor Digitorum
Brevis
Flexes digits 2-5
Medial Planter
nerve
Abductor Digiti
Minimi
Abducts and flexes
the little toe
lateral plantar
nerve
Quadratus Plantae
Assists flexor
digitorum longus in
flexing the lateral
four toes
lateral plantar
nerve
Location
Lumbricals
flex the
metatarsophalangeal
joint, extend the
proximal
interphalangeal &
distal
interphalangeal
joints of digits 2-5
Flexes the big toe
-medial (1st)
lumbrical: medial
plantar nerve;
-lateral three
lumbricals: lateral
plantar nerve
Adductor Hallucis
Adduct the big toe
deep branch of the
lateral plantar
nerve
Plantar Interossei
Adducts and flexes
digits three to five
deep branch of the
lateral plantar
nerve
Flexor Digiti Minimi
Brevis
Flexes the little toe
lateral plantar
nerve
Flexor Hallucis
Brevis
medial plantar
nerve