Muscles Of The Lower Extremity

Front 1

Inferior Extensor Retinaculum

Back 1

Y-shaped band on anterior surface of ankle that retains anterior crural muscle tendons. Upper crus attaches to medial malleolus. Lower crus blends with fascia on medial side of foot. Stem begins on lateral side of foot.

Front 2

Flexor Retinaculum

Back 2

Fibrous band on medial side of ankle. Holds tendons for flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, & tibialis posterior. Run from medial malleolus to tarsal bones.

Front 3

Fascia Lata

Back 3

Strong fascia enveloping muscles of the thigh.

Front 4

Quadratus Lumborum

Back 4

O & I: Attached superiorly to 12th rib, medially to transverse process of lumbar vertebrae, & inferiorly to posterior edge of iliac crest.
N: Subcostal nerve & branches of lumbar plexus.
A: Lateral flexion of trunk.

Front 5

Levator Ani

[model only]

Back 5

O: Pubis, pelvic fascia, ischial spine.
I: Central tendon of perineum, external anal sphincter, sacrum, & coccyx.
N: Pudendal nerve.
A: Supports pelvic contents, draws anus upward, and [females] constricts vagina.

Front 6

Plantar Aponeurosis

Back 6

Longitudinally arranged bands of white fibrous connective tissue. Radiates toward toes from medial process of the tuberosity of the calcaneus.

Front 7

Coccygeus

[model only]

Back 7

O: Ischial spine.
I: Sacrum & coccyx.
N: Pudendal nerve.
A: Supports pelvic contents & draws coccyx forward.

Front 8

Transversus Perinei Superficialis

[model only]

Back 8

O: Ramus of ischium.
I: Perineal body.
N: Pudendal nerve.
A: Draws back perineal body.

Front 9

Bulbospongiosus
Male & Female
[model only]

Back 9

O: Perineal body (& in males the median raphe).
I: [FEMALE] Corpora cavernosa of the clitoris.
[MALE] Urogenital diaphragm, corpora cavernosa, & corpus spongiosum of penis.
N: Pudendal nerve.
A: [Females] Vaginal sphincter & erection of clitoris.
[Males] Assists in erection, ejaculation, and micturition.

Front 10

Ischiocavernosus

[model only]

Back 10

O: Ramus of ischium.
I: [FEMALE] Corpus cavernosum of clitoris.
I: [MALE] Corpus cavernosum of penis.
N: Pudendal nerve.
A: Compresses spongy erectile tissue of corpus cavernosum to maintain erection of tissue.

Front 11

Transversus Perinei Profundus

[model only]

Back 11

O: Ramus of ischium.
I: Median raphe with opposite muscle.
N: Pudendal nerve.
A: Compression of urethra.

Front 12

Spinchter Urethrae

[model only]

Back 12

O: Inferior ramus of pubis.
I: Midline raphe anterior & posterior to membranous urethra.
N: Pudendal nerve.
a: Constricts membranous urethra.

Front 13

Iliopsoas

Back 13

Compound muscle & chief flexor of the thigh.

= Union of Iliacus & Psoas Major.

Front 14

Psoas Major

Back 14

O: Bodies of vertebrae and intervertebral disks from T12 to L5.
I: Lesser trochanter of femur.
N: Lumbar plexus.
A: lateral flexor of vertebral column, chief flexor of the thigh, & lateral rotator of thigh.

Front 15

Iliacus

Back 15

O: Iliac fossa.
I: Lesser trochanter of femur.
N: Femoral nerve.
A: Flexes thigh & rotates laterally.

Front 16

Psoas Minor

Back 16

O: Bodies of T12 and L1 vertebrae and intervertebral disk between them.
I: Iliopubic eminence & pectineal line of pubis.
N: Branch of spinal nerve L1.
A: Flexes vertebral column or pelvis.

Front 17

Gluteus Maximus

Back 17

O: Ilium behind posterior gluteal line, sacrum, coccyx, & sacrotuberous ligament.
I: Iliotibial tract of fascia lata and gluteal tuberosity of femur.
N: Inferior gluteal nerve.
A: Extends thigh, rotates thigh laterally, & abducts thigh.

Front 18

Gluteus Medius

Back 18

O: Ilium between anterior & posterior gluteal lines.
I: Outer surface of greater trochanter.
N: Superior gluteal nerve.
A: abducts & medially rotates thigh.

Front 19

Gluteus Minimus

Back 19

O: Ilium between anterior and inferior gluteal lines.
I: Anterior surface of greater trochanter.
N: Superior gluteal nerves.
A: Abducts & medially rotates thigh.

Front 20

Tensor Fascia Lata

Back 20

O: Anterior superior iliac spine.
I: Iliotibial tract.
N: Superior gluteal nerves.
A: tenses fascia lata, flexes, abducts, & medially rotates thigh. Extends knee w/ lateral rotation of leg.

Front 21

Gemellus Superior

Back 21

O: Ischial spine.
I: Trochanteric fossa.
N: Nerve to obturator internus muscle.
A: Rotates extended thigh laterally. Abducts flexed thigh.

Front 22

Gemellus Inferior

Back 22

O: Ischial tuberosity.
I: Trochanteric fossa.
N: Nerve to quadratus femoris muscle.
A: Rotates extended thigh laterally & abducts flexed thigh.

Front 23

Obturator Internus

[model only]

Back 23

O: Pelvic surface of obturator membrane & surrounding bone.
I: Trochanteric fossa.
N: Nerve to obturator internus muscle.
A: Rotates extended thigh laterally & abducts flexed thigh.

Front 24

Obturator Externus

[MALE model only]

Back 24

O: External surface of the obturator membrane & bone around obturator foramen.
I: Trochanteric fossa.
N: Obturator nerve.
A: Lateral rotator of thigh.

Front 25

Piriformis

[model only]

Back 25

O: Anterior / pelvic surface of sacrum.
I: Greater trochanter of femur.
N: Piriformis branch of sacral plexus.
A: Rotates thigh laterally & abducts flexed thigh.

Front 26

Quadratus Femoris

Back 26

O: Ischial tuberosity.
I: Intertrochanteric crest.
N: Nerve to quadratus femoris muscle.
A: lateral rotator of thigh.

Front 27

Hello, My Name is:

Sartorius

Back 27

I'm from the: Anterior superior iliac spine

I like to go to the: Medial surface of upper tibia

At work I: Flex the hip and knee. I also abduct with resistance and externally rotate the thigh while sitting

I enjoy: Being the longest muscle in the body & doing hip flexion exercises

Front 28

Quadriceps Femoris

(composed of four muscles)

Back 28

1- Rectus femoris
2- Vastus lateralis
3- Vastus medialis
4- Vastus intermedius

Front 29

Hello My Name is:

Rectus Femoris

Back 29

I'm from the: Anterior inferior iliac spine

I like to go the: Tibial tuberosity via patellar tendon

At work I: Flex the hip & extend the knee

I enjoy: hanging out with the rest of the quadriceps, and doing squats, leg extensions, and step ups

Front 30

Hello My Name is:

Vastus Lateralis

( I'm part of Quadriceps Femoris)

Back 30

I'm from the: Greater trochanter & upper half of lateral lip of linea aspera

I like to go to the: Tibial tuberosity via patellar tendon

At work I: Extend the knee

I enjoy: Working out with the rest of the Quadriceps muscles doing leg extensions

Front 31

Hello, My Name is:

Vastus Medialis

(I'm part of Quadriceps Femoris)

Back 31

I'm from the: Whole length of the linea aspera and medial condyloid ridge

I like to go to the: Tibial tuberosity via patellar tendon as well as the upper medial border of the patella

At work I: Extend the knee

I enjoy: Maintaining patellofemoral stability and working out with the rest of the Quadriceps doing squats, leg presses, & knee extensions

Front 32

Hello, My Name is:

Vastus Intermedius

(I'm part of the Quadriceps Femoris)

Back 32

I'm from the: Front surface of upper 2/3's of femoral shaft

I like to go to the: Tibial tuberosity via patellar tendon as well as the upper border of the patella

At work I: Extend the knee

I enjoy: Working with the rest of the Quadriceps in running, jumping, skipping, & walking

Front 33

Hello, My Name is:

Gracilis

Back 33

I'm from the: Body & inferior ramus of pubis

I like to go to the: Shaft of tibia below the medial condyle

At work I: Adduct the thigh, flex the knee, & assist in rotating flexed leg medially

I enjoy: Horseback riding and doing the breaststroke kick in swimming

Front 34

Pectineus

Back 34

O: Pectineal line of pubis & region of pubis anterior to this line.
I: Pectineal line of femur.
N: Femoral nerve & obturator nerve.
A: Adducts & flexes thigh. Laterally rotates thigh.

Front 35

Adductor Longus

Back 35

O: Crest & symphysis of pubis.
I: Middle 1/3 of medial lip of linea aspera of femur.
N: Obturator nerve.
A: Adduction of thigh, assists in flexion & lateral rotation of thigh.

Front 36

Adductor Brevis

Back 36

O: Inferior ramus of pubis.
I: Upper 1/3 of medial lip of the linea aspera.
N: Obturator nerve.
A: Adduction of thigh. Assists in flexion & lateral rotation of thigh.

Front 37

Adductor Magnus

(Adductor Portion)

Back 37

O: Body of pubis, inferior pubic ramus, ischial ramus.
I: Entire length of linea aspera.
N: Obturator nerve.
A: Adductor & extensor of thigh. Also flexor and lateral rotator.

Front 38

Adductor Magnus

(Extensor Portion)

Back 38

O: Ischial ramus, ischial tuberosity.
I: Adductor tubercle.
N: Tibial nerve.
A: Adductor & extensor of thigh. Also extensor and medial rotator.

Front 39

Hello, My Name is:

Semimembranosus

(I'm part of the Hamstrings)

Back 39

I'm from the: Ischial tuberosity

I like to go to the: Medial condyle of tibia

At work I: Flex the knee, rotate the hip & flexed knee medially, & extend the hip

I enjoy: Providing dynamic medial stability to the knee joint & doing leg curls

Front 40

Hello, My Name is:

Semitendinosus

(I'm part of the Hamstrings)

Back 40

I'm from the: Ischial tuberosity

I like to go to the: Medial surface of proximal tibia

At work I: Exend the hip, flex the knee, and rotate the hip & flexed knee medially

I enjoy: Hamstring curls

Front 41

Hello, My Name is:

Biceps Femoris [Long Head]

(I'm part of the Hamstrings)

Back 41

I come from the: Ischial tuberosity

I like to go to the: Head of fibula and lateral condyle of tibia

At work I: Flex the knee, rotate the leg medially, & extend the hip

I enjoy: Perfomring hamstring curls especially when the knee is in external rotation

Front 42

Hello, My Name is:

Biceps Femoris [Short Head]

(I'm part of the Hamstrings)

Back 42

I'm from the lower half: Lower 1/2 of lateral lip of linea aspera

I like to go to the: Head of fibula & lateral condyle of tibia

At work I: Flex the knee & rotate the flexed knee laterally

I enjoy: Perfoming hamstring curls

Front 43

Superior Extensor Retinaculum

Back 43

Band, indistinguishable from muscle fascia, running between tibia and fibula on anterior surface of leg, above ankle.

Front 44

Hello, My Name is:

Tibialis Anterior

Back 44

I'm from the: Upper 2/3's lateral surface of tibia

I like to go to the: Medial cuneiform bone & base of 1st metatarsal bone

At work I: Dorsiflex the ankle foot & invert the foot

I enjoy: Walking barefoot on the outside of the foot and ice skating

Front 45

Hello, My Name is:

Extensor Digitorum Longus

Back 45

I'm from the: Lateral condyle of the upper 3/4's of fibula

I like to go to the: Tops of middle and distal phalanges of four lesser toes

At work I: Extend the four lesser toes, dorsiflex the ankle, and help in eversion of the foot

I enjoy: Having enough strength to maintain balance between the plantar and dorsal flexors

Front 46

Hello, My Name is:

Extensor Hallucis Longus

Back 46

I'm from the: Middle half of fibula

I like to go to the: Base of distal phalanx of great toe

At work I: Extendthe great toe, dorsiflex the ankle, & weakly invert the foot

I enjoy: Walking on the heels with the ankle flexed dorsally & toes extended

Front 47

Hello, My Name is:

Peroneus Tertius

Back 47

I'm from the: Lower 1/3 of fibula

I like to go to the: Base of 5th metatrasal bone

At work I: Dorsiflex the ankle and evert the foot

I enjoy: Performing weighted eversion towel drags

Front 48

Hello, My Name is:

Peroneus Longus

Back 48

I'm form the: Head & upper 2/3's of the fibula

I like to go to the: Base of 1st metatarsal bone & medial cuneiform bone

At work I: Abduct & evert the foot, I also help in plantar flexion

I enjoy: Walking barefoot on the inside of the foot

Front 49

Hello, My Name is:

Peroneus Brevis

Back 49

I'm from the: Lower 2/3's of fibula

I like to go to the: Tuberosity on the base of the 5th metatarsal bone

At work I: Evert the foot & plantar flex the ankle

I enjoy: Maintaining the lateral longitudinal arch as it depresses the foot as well as performing eversion exercises

Front 50

Hello, My Name is:

Gastrocnemius

Back 50

I'm from the: [Medial Head] Popliteal surface and medial condyle of femur and the [Lateral Head] Lateral condyle of femur

I like to go to the: Tendocalcaneus (Achilles' Tendon) into lower 1/2 of posterior surface of calcaneus

At work I: Plantar flex the foot & flex the knee

I enjoy: Performing heel raising exercises when the knees are in full extension

Front 51

Hello, My Name is:

Soleus

Back 51

I'm from the: Proximal 2/3's of the posterior surfaces of the fibula and tibia

I like to go to the: Achilles' tendon into lower 1/2 of posterior surface of calcaneus

At work I: Plantar flex the ankle

I enjoy: Performing heel raises with the knees flexed

Front 52

Plantaris

Back 52

O: Lateral supracondylar ridge of femur.
I: Achilles' tendon.
N: Tibial nerve.
A: Plantar flexion of leg & foot.

Front 53

Hello, My Name is:

Tibialis Posterior

Back 53

I'm from the: Posterior surfaces of shafts of fibula and tibia

I like to go to the: Lower inner surfaces of the navicular & cuneiform bones, bases of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th metatarsal bones

At work I: Invert the foot and plantar flex the ankle

I enjoy: Contibuting to Shin Splints and performing heel raises as well as inversion exercises against resistance

Front 54

Hello, My Name is:

Flexor Digitorum Longus

Back 54

I'm from the: Middle 1/3 of the posterior surface of the tibia

I like to go to the: Bases of distal phalanges of toes 2-5

At work I: Plantar flex the ankle, invert the foot, & flex the four lesser toes

I enjoy: Helping to maintain the longitudinal arch and walking barefoot with the toes curled down

Front 55

Hello My Name is:

Flexor Hallucis Longus

Back 55

I'm from the: Inferior 2/3's of the posterior surface of fibula

I like to go to the: Base of distal phalanx of the great toe

At work I: Flex the great toe, plantar flex the ankle & invert the foot

I enjoy: Walking when the toes are helping to maintain balance with each step

Front 56

Hello, My Name is:

Popliteus

Back 56

I'm from the: Posterior surface on lateral condyle of femur

I like to go to the: Upper posterior medial surface of tibia

At work I: Flex the knee and rotate the knee internally as the knee flexes

I enjoy: "Unlocking" the knee joint to flexion (when standing), as well as protecting and stabilizing the knee from forward dislocation of the femur when squatting

Front 57

Hello My Name is:

Extensor Digitorum Brevis /
Extensor Hallucis Brevis

Back 57

I'm from the: Calcaneus
I like to go to the: [Extensor Hallucis Brevis]- Base of proximal phalanx of the great toe
[Extensor Digitorum Brevis]- Tendons of extensor digirorum longus to 2-4 toes

At work I: Extend the phalanges of 2-4 toes & extend the great toe at metatarsophalangeal joint

I enjoy: Being intrinsic muscles of the foot & helping in extension of the tarsal joints

Front 58

Abductor Hallucis

{Layer #1}

Back 58

O: Medial process of tuberosity of calcaneus.
I: Medial side of proximal phalanx of great toe.
N: Medial plantar nerve.
A: Abduction of great toe.

Front 59

Abductor Digiti Minimi

(Layer #1)

Back 59

O: Medial and Lateral processes of tuberosity of calcaneus.
I: Base of proximal phalanx of the 5th toe.
N: Lateral plantar nerve.
A: Abduction of small toe.

Front 60

Flexor Digitorum Brevis

(Layer #1)

Back 60

O: Medial process of calcaneal tuberosity.
I: Middle phalanx of toes 2-5.
N: Medial plantar nerve.
A: Aids in flexing distal phalanges 2-5 toes.

Front 61

Quadratus Plantae

(Layer #2)

Back 61

O: Calcaneus.
I: Tendon of flexor digitorum longus.
N: Lateral plantar nerve.
A: Flexing distal phalanges of toes 2-5.

Front 62

Lumbricals {x4}

(Layer #2)

Back 62

O: From at tibial side [#1] or adjacent sides [#2-4] of flexor digitorum longus tendons to toes 2-5.
I: Tibial side of proximal phalanx of toes 2-5 & tibial side of aponeurotic expansion over distal 2 phalanges of toes 2-5.
N: [1]- Medial plantar nerve. [2-4]- Lateral plantar nerve.
A: Flexes metatarsophalangeal joints of toes 2-5.

Front 63

Flexor Hallucis Brevis

(Layer #3)

Back 63

O: Cuboid, middle & lateral cuneiform bones.
I: Medial side of base of proximal phalanx of great toe.
N: Medial plantar nerve.
A: Flexes proximal phalanx of great toe.

Front 64

Adductor Hallucis
[Oblique Head]

(Layer #3)

Back 64

O: Lateral cuneiform bone & bases of 3rd & 4th metatarsal bones.
I: Base of proximal phalanx of great toe.
N: Lateral plantar nerve.
A: Adducts great toe.

Front 65

Adductor Hallucis
[Transverse Head]

(Layer #3)

Back 65

O: Capsules of lateral four metatarsophalangeal joints.
I: Base of proximal phalanx of the great toe.
N: Lateral plantar nerve.
A: Adducts great toe.

Front 66

Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis

(Layer #3)

Back 66

O: Base of 5th metatarsal bone.
I: Base of proximal phalanx of 5th toe.
N: Lateral plantar nerver.
A: Flexes proximal phalanx of small toe.

Front 67

Dorsal Interossei {x4}

(Layer #4)

Back 67

O: Bipennate, taking origin from adjacent sides of bases & shafts of two metatarsal bones.
I: [1]- Tibial side of base of proximal phalanx of toe 2. [2-4]- Fibular side of base of proximal phalanx of toes 2-4.
N: Lateral plantar nerve.
A: Abducts toes 2-4.

Front 68

Plantar Interossei {x3}

(Layer #4)

Back 68

O: Medial side of the base & body of metatarsals 3-5.
I: Medial side of base of proximal phalanx of toes 3-5.
N: Lateral plantar nerve.
A: Adducts toes 3-5.

Front 69

Hello, My Name is:

Lateral Longitudinal Arch

Back 69

I'm from the: Calcaneous on the lateral side of the foot

I like to go to the: Cuboid and distal ends of the 4th & 5th metarsals

My arch can be: High, medium, or low

Front 70

Hello, My Name is:

Transverse Arch

Back 70

I come from: across the foot from one metarsal bone

I like to go to: the other metarsal bone on the opposite side

Front 71

Hello, My Name is:

Medial Longitudinal Arch

Back 71

I come from the: medial side of the foot from the calcaneus bone

I like to go to the: Talus, navicular, 3 cuneiforms & distal end of 3 metatarsals

Front 72

Hello, My Name is:

Pes Anserinus

Back 72

You can find me: Where the sartorius, gracilis, & semitendinosus all join together to form a tendinous expansion

I come from the: anteromedial aspect of the proximal tibia below the level of the tibial tuberosity

At work I: enable these muscles to assist with knee flexion, particularly when the knee is flexed and the hip is externally rotated

Front 73

Hello My Name is:

Lateral Collateral Ligament

Back 73

I come from: above to the back of the lateral epicondyle of the femur, and from below to the lateral surface of the head of the fibula

At work I: Serve to check extension and prevent motion medially

Front 74

Hello, My Name is:

Medial Collateral Ligament

Back 74

I come from: above to the medial epicondyle of the femur and below to the medial condyle of the tibia

At work I: Serve to check extension & prevent motion laterally

I enjoy: being firmly attached to the medial meniscus

Front 75

Hello, My Name is:

Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Back 75

I come from: Anterior intercondyloid fossa of the tibia to the back part of the medial surface of the lateral condyle of the femur

At work I: Help check movements at the knee joint and limit extension and prevent rotation in the extended position

I enjoy: Tearing during noncantact rotary forces that are associated with planting and cutting

Front 76

Hello, My Name is:

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

Back 76

I'm from the: Posterior intercondyloid fossa of the tibia to the back part of the medial surface of the lateral condyle of the femur

At work I: Help check movements at the knee joint and limit extension and prevent rotation in the extended position

I enjoy: Not being injured often, and being shorter & stronger than the ACL