Muscles of the Lower Extremity
Grouped by Compartment and Action
Compartment/Group
Name of Muscle
Principal Action(s)
Attachments
Innervation
Muscles that act primarily on the hip joint
Posterior Abdominal
Wall
Iliacus
Flexion of the Hip
Iliac fossa (p)
Lesser trochanter (d)
Femoral n.
Psoas major
Prime Flexor of the Hip
Lesser trochanter (d)
Spinal nn. (L2 – L4)
Gluteus maximus
Prime extensor of Hip
Gluteal tuberosity & IT band (d)
Inferior gluteal n.
Abduction of Hip or
Stabilization of Pelvis during
gait
Tenses the fascia lata
(IT band)
Greater trochanter (d)
Lateral rotation of the Hip
Greater trochanter(d)
Gluteus medius
Gluteus minimus
Tensor fasciae latae
Gluteal Region
IT band(d)
Superior gluteal n.
Piriformis
Obturator internus
Superior & Inferior Gemelli
Quadratus femoris
Medial Thigh
Superior gluteal n.
Pectineus
Adductor brevis
Adductor longus
Spinal nn.
Intertronchanteric crest(d)
Slight adduction and flexion
of hip
Pectineal line of pubis (p)
Adduction of the hip
Pubic bone (p)
Linea aspera of Femur (d)
Femoral n. and/or
Obturator n.
Obturator n.
Adductor magnus (Adductor
‘fleshy’ part)
Adductor magnus (Hamstring
‘tendinous’ part)
Gracilis
Ischial tuberosity (p)
Adductor tubercle (d)
Adduction of the hip and
slight Medial rotation of
thigh
Adduction of the hip
Pubic bone (p)
Sciatic n.
(Tibial part)
Obturator n.
Muscles that act primarily on the knee joint
Sartorius
Anterior Thigh
Flexion, Abduction and
Lateral rotation of the hip.
Flexion of the Knee
Quadriceps femoris
(4 parts below)
Prime extensor of knee
Rectus femoris
Plus some Hip Flexion
Vastus lateralis
Vastus intermedius
Vastus medialis
Posterior Thigh
ASIS (Anterior Superior Iliac
Spine) (p)
Pes Anserinus (d)
Tibial tuberosity via the Patellar
ligament (d)
(Parts of Quadriceps femoris)
Head of Fibula (d)
Long head
Ischial tuberosity (p)
Semimembranosus
Femoral n.
AIIS (Anterior Inferior Iliac
Spine) (p)
Biceps femoris
(2 parts below)
Short head
Femoral n.
Prime flexors of the Knee
All except BF short head also
extend Hip
Shaft of femur (p)
Ischial tuberosity (p)
Medial Tibial Condyle (d)
Semitendinosus
Ischial tuberosity (p)
Pes Anserinus (d)
Muscles that act primarily on the Ankle joints
Sciatic n.
( Tibial part)
Anterior Leg
Tibialis Anterior
Lateral Leg
Fibularis tertius
Fibularis brevis
Fibularis longus
Posterior Leg
(superficial group)
(deep group)
Gastrocnemius
Soleus
Plantaris
Tibialis posterior
Popliteus
Dorsiflexion at Talocrural
joint
Base of 1st Metatarsal and
Medial Cuniform (d)
Inversion at Subtalar joint
Eversion at Subtalar joint
Eversion at Subtalar joint
Base of 5th Metatarsal (d)
Plantarflexion at Talocrural
joint
Plantarflexion at Talocrural
joint
Negligible Plantarflexion
Plantarflexion at Talocrural
joint
Inversion at Subtalar joint
‘Unlocks’ knee
(laterally rotates femur)
Deep fibular n.
Deep fibular n.
Superficial fibular n.
Base of 1 Metatarsal (d)
st
Calcaneus via the Achilles
(Calcaneal) tendon (d)
Tibial n.
Tibial n.
Muscles that act primarily on the Toes
Anterior Leg
Posterior Leg
Dorsum of the Foot
Plantar foot
(superficial group)
(intermediate group)
Extensor Hallucis longus
Extensor Digitorum longus
Flexor Hallucis longus
Flexor Digitorum longus
Extensor Hallucis brevis
Extensor Digitorum brevis
Abductor Hallucis
Flexor Digitorum brevis
Abductor Digiti minimi
Quadratus plantae
Extends ‘Big’ toe
Extends toes 2 - 5
Flexes ‘Big” toe
Flexes toes 2 - 5
Extends ‘Big’ toe
Extends toes 2 - 5
Abducts ‘Big’ Toe
Flexes toes 2 - 5
Abducts toe #5
Redirects pull of Flexor
Digitorum longus (FDL)
parallel to the long axis of
the foot
FDL tendons
Flexes ‘Big” toe
Adducts ‘Big” toe
Flexes toe #5
Adduct toes 3-5
Deep fibular n.
Tibial n.
Deep fibular n.
Medial & Lateral
Plantar nn.
Lumbricals (1 – 4)
(deep group)
Flexor Hallucis brevis
Adductor Hallucis
Flexor Digiti minimi brevis
Plantar interossei (1-3)
[PADs]
Dorsal interossei (1-4)
Abduct toes 3 & 4
[DABs]
Notes: This structure list is customized for the Nursing Anatomy Course (HLSC 2412), only information that you need to know is included.
Do not use the terms ‘Origin’ and ‘Insertion’ for muscle attachment sites, instead refer to them as proximal (p) or distal attachment sites. If
attachment sites are not listed in the table, you do not need to know them.
Similarly, for most muscles only the major action is listed many of these muscles have multiple synergistic actions which you do not need to know.