Muscle
abductor digiti
minimi (foot)
abductor
hallucis
adductor brevis
adductor
hallucis
Muscles of the Lower Limb
Origin
Insertion
Action
Innervation
medial and
lateral side of abducts the 5th
lateral
lateral sides the base of
toe; flexes the
plantar
of the
the proximal metatarsophalage nerve
tuberosity of phalanx of
al joint
the
the 5th digit
calcaneus
medial side medial side of abducts the great medial
of the
the base of
toe; flexes the
plantar
tuberosity of the proximal metatarsophalage nerve
calcaneus
phalanx of
al joint
the great toe
(hallux)
inferior
pectineal line adducts, flexes,
anterior
pubic ramus and linea
and medially
division of
aspera (deep rotates the femur the
to the
obturator
pectineus and
nerve
adductor
longus mm.)
Artery
Notes
lateral
abductor digiti
plantar a. minimi forms
the lateral
margin of the
sole of the foot
medial
abductor hallucis
plantar a. forms the medial
margin of the
sole of the foot
obturator
a., deep
femoral
a.
anterior and
posterior
divisions of the
obturator nerve
lie on the
anterior and
posterior
surfaces of
adductor brevis
the plantar
arterial arch
passes superior
to the oblique
head of adductor
hallucis
oblique
head: bases
of
metatarsals
2-4;
transverse
head: heads
of
metatarsals
3-5
medial
portion of
the superior
pubic ramus
lateral side of
base of the
proximal
phalanx of
the great toe
adducts the great
toe (moves it
toward midline of
the foot;
i.e.toward the
2nd digit)
deep branch
of the lateral
plantar
nerve
plantar
arterial
arch
linea aspera
of the femur
adducts, flexes,
and medially
rotates the femur
obturator the most anterior
a., deep
of the adductor
femoral
group of muscles
a.
adductor
magnus
ischiopubic
ramus and
ischial
tuberosity
linea aspera
of the femur;
the
ischiocondyla
r part inserts
on the
adductor
tubercle of
the femur
adducts, flexes,
and medially
rotates the femur;
extends the
femur
(ischiocondylar
part)
anterior
division of
the
obturator
nerve
posterior
division of
the
obturator
nerve; tibial
nerve
(ischiocondy
lar part)
adductor
minimus
lower
portion of
the inferior
gluteal ridge
and upper
part of the
adducts and
laterally rotates
the femur
adductor
longus
posterior
division of
the
obturator
a., deep
femoral
a.,
medial
femoral
circumfle
x a.
the
ischiocondylar
part of adductor
magnus is a
hamstring
muscle by
embryonic origin
and action, so it
is innervated by
the tibial nerve
obturator adductor
a.,
minimus m. is
medial
the uppermost
1
pubic ramus
linea aspera
of the femur
obturator
nerve
anterior
surface of
the femur
above the
patellar
surface
long head:
ischial
tuberosity;
short head:
lateral lip of
the linea
aspera
shafts of
adjacent
metatarsal
bones
articular
elevates the
capsule of the articular capsule
knee
of the knee joint
femoral
nerve
extensor
digitorum
brevis
superolatera
l surface of
the
calcaneus
extensor
expansion of
toes 1-4
extensor
digitorum
longus
lateral
condyle of
the tibia,
anterior
surface of
the fibula,
lateral
portion of
the
interosseous
dorsum of
the lateral 4
toes via
extensor
expansions
(central slip
inserts on
base of
middle
phalanx,
articularis genu
biceps femoris
dorsal
interosseous
(foot)
head of fibula
and lateral
condyle of
the tibia
bases of the
proximal
phalanges for
digit 2 (both
sides) & digits
3,4 (lateral
side)
extends the thigh,
flexes the leg
femoral
circumfle
x a.,
deep
femoral
a.
descendi
ng
genicular
a.
long head:
tibial nerve;
short head:
common
fibular
(peroneal)
nerve
abduct digits 2-4
deep branch
(move these digits of the lateral
away from
plantar
midline as
nerve
defined by a
plane passing
through the 2nd
digit); flex the
metatarsophalang
eal joints and
extend the
interphalangeal
joints of those
digits
extends toes 1-4
deep fibular
(peroneal)
nerve
perforati
ng
branches
of the
deep
femoral
a.
dorsal
metatars
al aa.
extends the
metatarsophalang
eal, proximal
interphalangeal
and distal
interphalangeal
joints of the
lateral 4 toes
anterior
tibial a.
deep fibular
(peroneal)
nerve
dorsalis
pedis a.
fibers of the
adductor
magnus m.
articularis genu
is formed by
muscle fascicles
deep to the
vastus
intermedius m.
one of the
"hamstring"
muscles
four in number;
remember DAB
(Dorsal
interossei
ABduct) and
PAD (Plantar
interossei
ADduct), then
logic can tell you
where these
muscles insert
the part of the
extensor
digitorum brevis
that goes to the
great toe is called
the extensor
hallucis brevis
m.
one of the
muscles involved
in anterior
compartment
syndrome
2
membrane
extensor
hallucis brevis
superolatera
l surface of
the
calcaneus
extensor
hallucis longus
middle half
of the
anterior
surface of
the fibula
and the
interosseous
membrane
lower one
third of the
lateral
surface of
the fibula
fibularis
(peroneus)
longus
upper
two/thirds of
the lateral
surface of
the fibula
fibularis
(peroneus)
tertius
distal part of
the anterior
surface of
the fibula
flexor digiti
minimi brevis
(foot)
base of 5th
metatarsal
bone
fibularis
(peroneus)
brevis
lateral slips
on base of
distal
phalanx)
dorsum of
base of
proximal
phalanx of
the great toe
extends the great
toe
deep fibular
(peroneal)
nerve
dorsalis
pedis a.
base of the
distal phalanx
of the great
toe
extends the
metatarsophalang
eal
interphalangeal
joints of the great
toe
deep fibular
(peroneal)
nerve
anterior
tibial a.
tuberosity of
the base of
the 5th
metatarsal
extends (plantar
flexes) and everts
the foot
superficial
fibular
(peroneal)
nerve
fibular
(peronea
l) a.
after crossing
the plantar
surface of the
foot deep to
the intrinsic
muscles, it
inserts on the
medial
cuneiform
and the base
of the 1st
metatarsal
bone
dorsum of
the shaft of
the 5th
metatarsal
bone
extends (plantar
flexes) and everts
the foot
superficial
fibular
(peroneal)
nerve
fibular
(peronea
l) a.
everts the foot
deep fibular
(peroneal)
nerve
anterior
tibial a.
lateral side of
base of
proximal
phalanx of
flexes the
metatarsophalang
eal joint of the
5th digit
lateral
plantar
nerve
lateral
plantar a.
usually
considered to be
the medial-most
part of the
extensor
digitorum brevis
m.
one of the
muscles involved
in anterior
compartment
syndrome
stress fracture of
the base of the
5th metatarsal
bone is a
common
runner's injury
fibularis longus
lies superficial to
the fibularis
brevis m. in the
lateral
compartment of
the leg
fibularis tertius is
in the anterior
compartment of
the leg, not the
lateral
compartment
(which contains
fibularis longus
and brevis)
none
3
flexor
digitorum
brevis
flexor
digitorum
longus
5th digit
tuberosity of base of the
the
middle
calcaneus,
phalanx of
plantar
digits 2-5 after
aponeurosis, splitting to
intermuscul allow passage
ar septae
of the flexor
digitorum
longus
tendons
middle half bases of the
of the
distal
posterior
phalanges of
surface of
digits 2-5
the tibia
flexes the
metatarsophalang
eal, proximal
interphalangeal
and distal
interphalangeal
joints of digits 25; plantar flexes
the foot
medial belly: flexes the
medial side of metatarsophalang
proximal
eal joint of the
phalanx of
great toe
the great toe;
lateral belly:
lateral side of
the proximal
phalanx of
the great toe
flexor hallucis
brevis
cuboid,
lateral
cuneiform,
medial side
of the first
metatarsal
flexor hallucis
longus
lower 2/3 of
the
posterior
surface of
the fibula
base of the
distal phalanx
of the great
toe
gastrocnemius
femur;
medial
head: above
the medial
femoral
condyle;
lateral head:
above the
lateral
femoral
condyle
ischial
tuberosity
dorsum of
the calcaneus
via the
calcaneal
(Achilles')
tendon
gemellus,
inferior
flexes the
metatarsophalang
eal & proximal
interphalangeal
joints of digits 2-5
obturator
internus
flexes the
metatarsophalang
eal and proximal
interphalangeal
joints of the great
toe; plantar flexes
the foot
flexes leg; plantar
flexes foot
laterally rotates
the femur
medial
plantar
nerve
medial
and
lateral
plantar
aa.
flexor digitorum
brevis in the foot
is equivalent to
the flexor
digitorum
superficialis m.
of the arm
tibial nerve
tibial a.
flexor digitorum
longus in the leg
is equivalent to
the flexor
digitorum
profundus m. of
the arm
medial
plantar
nerve
(lateral belly
occasionally
receives
innervation
from the
lateral
plantar
nerve)
tibial nerve
medial
each tendon of
plantar a. insertion
contains a
sesamoid bone
fibular
(peronea
l) a. and
tibial a.
flexor hallucis
longus is very
important in the
"push off" part of
the normal gait
tibial nerve
sural aa.
(from the
popliteal
a.),
posterior
tibial a.
the calcaneal
tendon of the
gastrocnemius
and soleus is the
thickest and
strongest tendon
in the body
nerve to the
quadratus
inferior
gluteal a.
gemellus is a
Latin word that
4
tendon
femoris m.
gemellus,
superior
ischial spine
obturator
internus
tendon
laterally rotates
the femur
nerve to the
obturator
internus m.
inferior
gluteal a.
gluteus
maximus
posterior
gluteal line,
posterior
surface of
sacrum and
coccyx,
sacrotubero
us ligament
external
surface of
the ilium
between the
posterior
and anterior
gluteal lines
upper fibers:
iliotibial tract;
lowermost
fibers: gluteal
tuberosity of
the femur
extends the thigh;
laterally rotates
the femur
inferior
gluteal nerve
superior
and
inferior
gluteal
aa.
greater
trochanter of
the femur
abducts the
femur; medially
rotates the thigh
superior
gluteal nerve
superior
gluteal a.
gluteus
minimus
external
surface of
the ilium
between the
anterior and
inferior
gluteal lines
greater
trochanter of
the femur
abducts the
femur; medially
rotates the thigh
superior
gluteal nerve
gracilis
pubic
symphysis
and the
inferior
pubic ramus
medial
surface of the
tibia (via pes
anserinus)
adducts the thigh,
flexes and
medially rotates
the thigh, flexes
the leg
anterior
division of
the
obturator
nerve
iliacus
iliac fossa
and iliac
crest; ala of
sacrum
lesser
trochanter of
the femur
flexes the thigh; if
the thigh is fixed
it flexes the pelvis
on the thigh
femoral
nerve
iliopsoas
iliac fossa;
lesser
flexes the thigh;
branches of
gluteus medius
means "little
twin"
gemellus is a
Latin word that
means "little
twin"
gluteus maximus
is a site of
intramuscular
injection
the angle at
which the gluteus
medius tendon
approaches the
greater
trochanter of the
femur is anterior
to the axis of
rotation of the
thigh, resulting
in medial
rotation
superior the angle at
gluteal a. which the gluteus
minimus tendon
approaches the
greater
trochanter of the
femur is anterior
to the axis of
rotation of the
thigh, resulting
in medial
rotation
obturator the pes anserinus
a.
is the common
insertion of the
gracilis, sartorius,
and
semitendinosus
mm.
iliolumba inserts in
r a.
company with
the psoas major
m. via the
iliopsoas tendon
iliolumba a combination of
5
bodies and
transverse
processes of
lumbar
vertebrae
trochanter of
the femur
flexes and
laterally bends
the lumbar
vertebral column
inferior
gemellus
ischial
tuberosity
obturator
internus
tendon
laterally rotates
the femur
interosseous,
dorsal (foot)
shafts of
adjacent
metatarsal
bones
bases of the
proximal
phalanges for
digit 2 (both
sides) & digits
3,4 (lateral
side)
interosseous,
plantar
base and
medial side
of
metatarsals
3-5
lumbricals
(foot)
tendons of
the flexor
digitorum
longus
obturator
externus
the external
surface of
abduct digits 2-4
(move these digits
away from
midline as
defined by a
plane passing
through the 2nd
digit); flex the
metatarsophalang
eal joints and
extend the
interphalangeal
joints of those
digits
bases of
adduct digits 3-5
proximal
(move these digits
phalanges
toward the
and extensor midline of the
expansions of foot as defined by
digits 3-5
a plane through
the second digit);
flex the
metacarpophalan
geal and extend
interphalangeal
joints of digits 3-5
medial side of flex the
the extensor
metatarsophalang
expansion of eal joint, extend
digits 2-5
the proximal
interphalangeal &
distal
interphalangeal
joints of digits 2-5
trochanteric
fossa of the
laterally rotates
the thigh
the ventral
primary
rami of
spinal
nerves L2L4;
branches of
the femoral
nerve
nerve to the
quadratus
femoris m.
r a.
the iliacus and
psoas major
mm.
inferior
gluteal a.
deep branch
of the lateral
plantar
nerve
dorsal
metatars
al aa.
gemellus is a
Latin word that
means "little
twin"
four in number;
remember DAB
(Dorsal
interossei
ABduct) and
PAD (Plantar
interossei
ADduct), then
logic can tell you
where these
muscles insert
deep branch
of the lateral
plantar
nerve
plantar
metatars
al aa.
remember PAD
(Plantar
interossei
ADduct) and
DAB (Dorsal
interossei
ABduct), and
logic will tell you
where these
muscles must
insert
medial (1st)
lumbrical:
medial
plantar
nerve; lateral
three
lumbricals:
lateral
plantar
nerve
obturator
nerve
medial
and
lateral
plantar
aa.
the lumbricals of
the foot have the
same action on
the toes that the
lumbricals in the
hand have on
the fingers
obturator the tendon of
a.
the obturator
6
obturator
internus
pectineus
the
obturator
membrane
and the
superior
and inferior
pubic rami
the internal
surface of
the
obturator
membrane
and margin
of the
obturator
foramen
femur
externus m.
passes inferior to
the neck of the
femur to reach
its insertion site
greater
trochanter on
its medial
surface above
the
trochanteric
fossa
laterally rotates
and abducts the
thigh
nerve to the
obturator
internus m.
pecten of
the pubis
pectineal line
of the femur
adducts, flexes,
and medially
rotates the thigh
femoral
nerve and
possibly the
anterior
division of
the
obturator
nerve
obturator the obturator
a.
internus m.
leaves the pelvis
by passing
through the
lesser sciatic
foramen; the
superior and
inferior gemellus
mm. insert on
the obturator
internus tendon
medial
pectineus often
femoral
has a dual
circumfle innervation
x a.
peroneus mm.
(SEE fibularis
mm.)
piriformis
anterior
surface of
sacrum
upper border
of greater
trochanter of
femur
laterally rotates
and abducts thigh
ventral rami
of S1-S2
plantar
interosseous
base and
medial side
of
metatarsals
3-5
bases of
proximal
phalanges
and extensor
expansions of
digits 3-5
deep branch
of the lateral
plantar
nerve
plantar
metatars
al aa.
plantaris
above the
lateral
femoral
dorsum of
the calcaneus
medial to the
adduct digits 3-5
(move these digits
toward the
midline of the
foot as defined by
a plane through
the second digit);
flex the
metacarpophalan
geal and extend
interphalangeal
joints of digits 3-5
flexes the leg;
plantar flexes the
foot
tibial nerve
popliteal
a.
peroneus is the
old terminology
used for the
fibularis mm.
piriformis leaves
the pelvis by
passing through
the greater sciatic
foramen
remember PAD
(Plantar
interossei
ADduct) and
DAB (Dorsal
interossei
ABduct), and
logic will tell you
where these
muscles must
insert
plantaris has a
long slender
tendon that is
7
condyle
(above the
lateral head
of
gastrocnemi
us)
calcaneal
tendon
popliteus
lateral
condyle of
the femur
posterior
surface of the
tibia above
soleal line
flexes and rotates tibial nerve
the leg medially
(with the foot
planted, it rotates
the thigh laterally)
popliteal
a.
psoas major
bodies and
transverse
processes of
lumbar
vertebrae
lesser
trochanter of
femur (with
iliacus) via
iliopsoas
tendon
flexes the thigh;
flexes & laterally
bends the lumbar
vertebral column
subcostal
a.,
lumbar
aa.
psoas minor
bodies of
the T12 &
L1
vertebrae
flexes & laterally
bends the lumbar
vertebral column
quadratus
femoris
lateral
border of
the ischial
tuberosity
iliopubic
eminence at
the line of
junction of
the ilium and
the superior
pubic ramus
quadrate line
of the femur
below the
intertrochante
ric crest
quadratus
plantae
anterior
portion of
the
calcaneus
and the long
plantar
ligament
tendons of
the flexor
digitorum
longus m.
assists the flexor
digitorum longus
in flexing the toes
lateral
plantar
nerve
quadriceps
femoris
anterior
surface of
the femur
and the
tibial
tuberosity via
the patellar
ligament
extends the knee;
rectus femoris
flexes the thigh
femoral
nerve
laterally rotates
the thigh
branches of
the ventral
primary
rami of
spinal
nerves L2L4
branches of
the ventral
primary
rams of
spinal
nerves L1L2
nerve to the
quadratus
femoris m.
lumbar
aa.
equivalent to the
tendon of the
palmaris longus
m. of the arm; its
tendon is often
called the
"freshman nerve"
because it is
often
misidentified by
the freshman
medical student
has a round
tendon of origin;
popliteus
unlocks the knee
joint to initiate
flexion of the leg
the
genitofemoral
nerve pierces the
anterior surface
of the psoas
major m.
absent in 40% of
cases
inferior
gluteal a.
the nerve to the
quadratus
femoris m. also
innervates the
inferior gemellus
m.
lateral
the quadratus
plantar a. plantae m.
changes the line
of force of the
flexor digitorum
longus m. to
bring it in line
with the long axis
of the foot
lateral
composed of 4
circumfle muscles: rectus
x
femoris, vastus
femoral
lateralis, vastus
8
rectus femoris
anterior side
of the
medial and
lateral
intermuscul
ar septa
straight
head:
anterior
inferior iliac
spine;
reflected
head: above
the superior
rim of the
acetabulum
anterior
superior
iliac spine
a., deep
femoral
a.
intermedius and
vastus medialis
patella and
extends the leg,
tibial
flexes the thigh
tuberosity (via
the patellar
ligament)
femoral
nerve
lateral
circumfle
x
femoral
a.
rectus femoris is
part of the
quadriceps
femoris muscle
medial
surface of the
tibia (pes
anserinus)
flexes, abducts
and laterally
rotates the thigh;
flexes leg
femoral
nerve
lateral
femoral
circumfle
x a.,
sapheno
us a.
semimembrano upper, outer medial
sus
surface of
condyle of
the ischial
the tibia
tuberosity
extends the thigh,
flexes the leg
tibial nerve
semitendinosus
medial
surface of
tibia (via pes
anserinus)
extends the thigh,
flexes the leg
tibial nerve
perforati
ng
branches
of the
deep
femoral
a.
perforati
ng
branches
of the
deep
femoral
a.
sartorius means
"tailor"; its
actions put the
lower limb in the
traditional crosslegged seated
position of a
tailor
one of the
"hamstring"
muscles
dorsum of
the calcaneus
via the
calcaneal
(Achilles')
tendon
plantar flexes the
foot
tibial nerve
posterior
tibial a.
obturator
internus
tendon
laterally rotates
the femur
nerve to the
obturator
internus m.
inferior
gluteal a.
sartorius
soleus
superior
gemellus
lower,
medial
surface of
ischial
tuberosity
(common
tendon with
biceps
femoris m.)
posterior
surface of
head and
upper shaft
of the fibula,
soleal line of
the tibia
ischial spine
pes anserinus is
the common
insertion for the
gracilis, sartorius,
and
semitendinosus
mm.
soleus,
gastrocnemius,
and plantaris
mm. are
sometimes called
the triceps surae
muscle
gemellus is a
Latin word that
means "little
twin"
9
tensor fasciae
latae
anterior part
of the iliac
crest,
anterior
superior
iliac spine
lateral tibial
condyle and
the upper
lateral
surface of
the tibia
iliotibial tract
flexes, abducts,
and medially
rotates the thigh
superior
gluteal nerve
medial
surface of the
medial
cuneiform
and the 1st
metatarsal
dorsiflexes and
inverts the foot
deep fibular
(peroneal)
nerve
interosseous
membrane,
posteromedi
al surface of
the fibula,
posterolater
al surface of
the tibia
anterior and
lateral
surface of
the femur
tuberosity of
the navicular
and medial
cuneiform,
metatarsals 24
plantar flexes the
foot; inverts the
foot
tibial nerve
patella
extends the leg
femoral
nerve
vastus lateralis
lateral
intermuscul
ar septum,
lateral lip of
the linea
aspera and
the gluteal
tuberosity
patella and
medial
patellar
retinaculum
extends leg
femoral
nerve
vastus medialis
medial
intermuscul
ar septum,
medial lip of
the linea
aspera
patella and
medial
patellar
retinaculum
extends leg
femoral
nerve
tibialis anterior
tibialis
posterior
vastus
intermedius
superior
gluteal a.
tensor fascia
latae redirects
the rotational
forces of the
gluteus maximus
m.
anterior
acts as both an
tibial a.
antagonist
(dorsiflexion/pla
ntar flexion) and
a synergist
(inversion) of the
tibialis posterior
m.
fibular
acts as both an
(peronea antagonist
l) a. and (dorsiflexion/pla
tibial a.
ntar flexion) and
a synergist
(inversion) of the
tibialis anterior
m.
lateral
vastus
femoral
intermedius is
circumfle part of the
x a.
quadriceps
femoris muscle
lateral
vastus lateralis is
femoral
part of the
circumfle quadriceps
x a.,
femoris muscle
perforati
ng
branches
of the
deep
femoral
a.
lateral
vastus medialis is
femoral
part of the
circumfle quadriceps
x a.
femoris muscle
10