MUSCLES OF LOWER LIMB

I.   THIGH MUSCLES
A.  Anterior Compartment      

* those that flex hip (coxal) joint/thigh:
1.  Iliacus:
2.  Psoas Major:
3.  Sartorius: also flexes knee joint/leg

 

 

* those that extend knee joint/leg
4.  Quadriceps Femoris:

a.  Rectus Femoris
b.  Vastus Medialis
c.  Vastus Intermedius
d.  Vastus Lateralis

B.  Medial Compartment – adduct thigh and flex the hip joint/thigh

1.  Adductors (Longus, Brevis, Magnus)
2.  Pectineus
3.  Gracilis: also flexes knee joint/leg

 

 

C.  Lateral Compartment - abducts thigh

1.  Tensor Fasciae Latae: connects to the iliotibial tract (iliotibial band, fascia lata)

 

D.  Posterior Compartment
* Gluteal muscles

1.  Gluteus Maximus: extends hip joint/thigh

2.  Gluteus Medius: abducts thigh

3.  Gluteus Minimus: abducts thigh

 

* “Hamstring” muscles: extend the hip joint/thigh and flex the knee joint/leg

4.  Biceps Femoris
5.  Semitendinosus
6.  Semimembranosus

 

 

II.  LEG MUSCLES
A.  Anterior Compartment
-- all dorsiflex the ankle joint/foot

1.  Tibialis Anterior: also inverts foot
2.  Extensor Digitorum Longus: also extends toes 2-5
3.  Extensor Hallucis Longus: also extends big toe

B.  Lateral Compartment
-- plantar flex ankle joint/foot and evert foot

1.  Fibularis Longus
2.  Fibularis Brevis

C.  Posterior Compartment

Superficial Group
-- plantar flex the ankle joint/foot

1.  Gastrocnemius: also flexes knee joint/leg
2.  Soleus
3.  Plantaris: also flexes knee joint/leg

Deep Group

4.  Popliteus: flexes knee joint/leg

5.  Flexor Hallucis Longus: plantar flexes ankle joint/foot & flexes big toe

6.  Flexor Digitorum Longus: plantar flexes ankle joint/foot and flexes toes 2-5

7.  Tibialis Posterior: plantar flexes ankle joint/foot and inverts foot

III. FOOT MUSCLES
A.  Dorsum of foot

1.  Extensor Digitorum Brevis: extends toes 2-4
2.  Extensor Hallucis Brevis: extends  big toe

 

 

B.  Plantar side (sole) of foot