Pelvic Limb Anatomy

Front 1

biceps femoris: attachments

Back 1

origin: the sacrotuberous ligament and the ischiatic tuberosity

insertion: by means of fascia lata and crural fascia to the patella, patellar ligament, and cranial border of the tibia; by means of the crural fascia to the subcutaneous part of the tibial body; the tuber calcanei

Front 2

biceps femoris: action

Back 2

extend the hip

extend the stifle

extend the hock

caudal part of the biceps femoris flexes the stifle

Front 3

Semitendinosus: Attachments

Back 3

Origin: The Ischiatic Tuberosity

Insertion: The disto-cranial border of the tibia. The medial surface of the body of the tibia and the tuber calcanei by means of the crural fascia

Front 4

Semimembranosus: Attachments

Back 4

Origin: Ischiatic Tuberosity

Insertion: Distal medial lip of the caudal rough surface of the femur and the medial condyle of the tibia

Front 5

Semimembranosus: Action

Back 5

Extend the Hip

Extend the stifle (just the part that attaches to the femur)

The part that attaches to the tibia flexes or extends the stifle depending on the position of the limb.

Front 6

Sartorius: Attachments

Back 6

Cranial Part: Origin: the crest of the ilium and the thoracolumbar fascia. Insertion: The patella, in common with the rectus femoris of the quadriceps

Caudal Part: Origin: the cranial ventral iliac spine and the adjacent ventral border of the ilium. Insertion: Cranial border of the tibia, in common with the gracilis

Front 7

Sartorius: Action

Back 7

Flexes the Hip

Extends the Stifle (cranial part)

Flexes the Stifle (caudal part)

Front 8

Gracilis: Attachments

Back 8

Origin: The pelvic symphysis by means of the symphysial tendon

Insertion: The cranial border of the tibia and the tuber calcanei (along with the semitendinosus)

Front 9

Gracilis: Action

Back 9

Adducts the limb

Flex Stifle

Extend Hip

Extend Hock

Front 10

Pectineus: Attachments

Back 10

Origin: iliopubic eminence and the pubic tubercle via the prepubic tendon

Insertion: Distal end of the medial lip of the caudal rough surface of the femur

Front 11

Pectineus: Action

Back 11

Adduct the limb

Front 12

Adductor: Attachments

Back 12

Origin: The entire pelvic symphysis by means of the symphysial tendon, the adjacent part of the ischiatic arch, and the ventral surface of the pubis and ischium

Insertion: The entire lateral lip of the caudal rough face of the femur

Front 13

Adductor: Action

Back 13

Adducts the limb

Extends the hip

Front 14

Tensor Fascia Latae: Attachments

Back 14

Origin: The tuber coxae and adjacent part of the ilium; the aponeurosis of the middle gluteal muscle

Insertion: Lateral Femoral Fascia

Front 15

Tensor Fascia Latae: Action

Back 15

Tenses Lateral Femoral Fascia

Flex the hip

Extend the Stifle

Front 16

Superficial Gluteal: Attachments

Back 16

Origin: The lateral border of the sacrum and the first caudal vertebra, partly by means of the sacrotuberous ligament; the cranial dorsal iliac spine by means of the deep gluteal fascia

Insertion: The third throchanter

Front 17

Superficial Gluteal: Action

Back 17

Extends the hip

Abduct the limb

Front 18

Middle Gluteal: Attachments

Back 18

Origin: The crest and gluteal surface of the ilium

Insertion: The greater trochanter

Front 19

Middle Gluteal: Action

Back 19

Extend the hip

Abduct the hip

Rotate the pelvic limb medially

Front 20

Deep Gluteal: Attachments

Back 20

Origin: The body of the ilium; the ischiatic spine

Insertion: The cranial aspect of the greater trochantor

Front 21

Deep Gluteal: Action

Back 21

Extend the hip

Abduct the hip

Rotate the pelvic limb medially

Front 22

Internal Obturator: Insertions

Back 22

Origin: The symphysis pelvis and the dorsal surface of the ischium and pubis

Insertion: The trochanteric fossa of the femur

Front 23

Internal Obturator: Action

Back 23

Rotates the pelvic limb laterally at the hip

Front 24

Gamelli: Attachments

Back 24

Origin: Lateral surface of the ischium.

Caudal to the acetabulum and ventral to the lesser ischiatic notch

Front 25

Gamelli: Action

Back 25

Rotates the pelvic limb laterally at the hip

Front 26

Quadratus Femoris: Attachments

Back 26

Origin: The ventral surface of the caudal part of the ischium

Insertion: Intertrochanteric crest

Front 27

Quadratus Femoris: Action

Back 27

Extends the hip

Rotates the pelvic limb laterally

Front 28

External Obturator: Attachments

Back 28

Origin: Ventral surface of the pubis and ischium

Insertion: Trochanteric fossa

Front 29

External Obturator: Action

Back 29

Rotates the pelvic limb laterally

Front 30

Quadriceps Femoris heads

Back 30

1. Vastus Lateralis

2. Vastus intermedius

3. Vastuc Medialis

4. Rectus Femoris

Front 31

Rectus Femoris: Attachments

Back 31

Origin: ilium

Insertion: Tibial Tuberosity

Front 32

Vastus lateralis: Attachments

Back 32

Origin: Proximal part of the lateral lip of the caudal rough surface of the femur

Insertion: tibial tuberosity

Front 33

Vastus Intermedius: Attachments

Back 33

Origin: Lateral side of the proximal end of the femur

Insertion: Tibial Tuberosity

Front 34

Vastus Medialis: Attachments

Back 34

Origin: medial side of the proximal end of the cranial surface of the femur and the proximal end of the medial lip of the caudal rough surface.

Insertion: Tibial Tuberosity

Front 35

Quadriceps femoris: Action

Back 35

Extend the stifle

Rectus Femoris: Flexes the hip

Front 36

Iliopsoas (psoas major and iliacus): Attachments

Back 36

Origin: Psoas Major: lumbar vertebrae

Iliacus: cranioventral ilium

Insertion: Lesser Trochanter

Front 37

Iliopsoas: Action

Back 37

Flexes the hip

Front 38

Cranial Tibial: Attachments

Back 38

Origin: The extensor groove and the adjacent articular margin of the tibia; the lateral edge of the cranial tibial border

Insertion: The plantar surface of the base of metatarsals I and II

Front 39

Cranial Tibial: Action

Back 39

Flex the tarsocrural joint

rotate paw laterally so that the plantar surface fasces medially

Front 40

Long Digital Extensor: Attachments

Back 40

Origin: The extensor fossa of the femur

Insertion: The extensor processes of the distal phalanges of digits II, III, IV, and V

Front 41

Long Digital Extensor: Action

Back 41

Extends the digits

Flexes the tarsus

Front 42

Fibularis Longus: Attachments

Back 42

Origin: The lateral condyle of the tibia, the proximal end of the fibula, and the lateral epicondyle of the femur by means of the lateral collateral ligament of the stifle

Insertion: The fourth tarsal bone; the plantar aspect of the base of the metatarsals

Front 43

Fibularis Longus: Action

Back 43

Flex tarsus

Rotate paw medially so that the plantar surface faces laterally