Muscles of the Leg

Scott.lehbauer@lethbridgecollege.ab.ca

Gluteus Maximus

Origin • outer surface of iliac

crest• Sacrum• CoccyxInsertion• Iliotibial tract • Posterior femurFunction• Hip extension Gluteus Maximus

Gluteus Medius

Origin • Lateral surface of the

iliumInsertion• Greater trochanter of

the femurFunction• Abducts the hip Gluteus Medius

Tensor Fascia Latae

Origin • Lateral surface of the

iliac crestInsertion• Iliotibial tractFunction• Abducts, flexes and

medially rotates the thigh Tensor Fascia Latae

Gracilis

Origin • Inferior ramus of the

pubisInsertion• Medial surface of the

tibiaFunction• Adduction of the hip• Flexes the leg at the knee

Gracilis

Biceps Femoris

Origin • Ischial Tuberosity• Linea aspera of femurInsertion• Medial surface of the

tibiaFunction• Flexes the leg at the knee• Extends the hip

Biceps Femoris

Semitendinosus

Origin • Ischial tuberosityInsertion• Head of the fibula• Medial tibiaFunction• Flexes knee • Extends the hip

Semitendinosus

Semimembranous

Origin • Ischial tuberosityInsertion• Medial condyle of the

tibiaFunction• Flexes the knee• Extends the hip

Semimembranous

Adductor magnus

Origin • Ischial tuberosity

Insertion• Linea aspera of femur

Function• Adducts and extends hip

Adductor Magnus

Adductor longus

Origin • Inferior ramus of the

pubis

Insertion• Linea aspera of the femur

Function• Adducts and flexes the

hipAdductor Longus

Iliacus

Origin • Iliac fossa

Insertion• Lesser trochanter

Function• Flexes hip

Iliacus

Psoas major

Origin • Transverse process of T12

– L5

Insertion• Lesser trochanter

Function• Flexes hip

Psoas major

Sartorius – the longest muscle in the body

Origin • Anterior Superior Iliac Spine

Insertion• Medial surface of the tibia

Function• Flexes the knee and hip• Laterally rotates the hip• “Crosses Legs” Sartorius

Rectus femoris

Origin • Anterior inferior iliac

spineInsertion• Tibial tuberosity by the

patellar ligamentFunction• Extends knee• Flexes hip

Rectus Femoris

Vastus lateralis

Origin • Greater trochanter of

femurInsertion• Tibial tuberosity by

the patellar ligamentFunction• Extends knee

Vastus lateralis

Vastus medialis

Origin • Medial surface of the

linea aspera of the femurInsertion• Tibial tuberosity by the

patellar ligamentFunction• Extends the knee

Vastus medialis

Vastus intermedius

Origin • Anterior and lateral

surfaces of femurInsertion• Tibial tuberosity by

the patellar ligamentFunction• Extends knee

Vastus intermedius

Gastocnemius

Origin • Medial and lateral

epicondyles of the femurInsertion• Posterior surface of

calcaneus via tendocalcaneus

Function• Plantar flexes the ankle

Gastrocnemius

Soleus

Origin • Head of the fibula• Shaft of the tibiaInsertion• Calcaneus via the

tendocalcaneusFunction• Plantar flexes ankle

Soleus

Tibialis anterior

Origin • Lateral condyle and the

lateral surface of the tibiaInsertion• Base of the 1st metatarsal

and the medial cuneiform

Function• Dorsiflexes ankle and

inverts foot

Tibialis anterior

Extensor digitorum longus

Origin • Lateral condyle of the tibia

and anterior surface of the fibula

Insertion• Toes 2-5

Function• Extends toes 2-5• Dorsiflexes and everts foot

Extensor Digitorum Longus

Peroneus Longus

Origin • Lateral condyle of tibia• Head and shaft of fibulaInsertion• Tarsals and metatarsalsFunction• Everts foot and plantar

flexes ankle

Peroneus Longus

Peroneus Brevis

Origin • Lateral margin of the

fibulaInsertion• Base of the 5th

metatarsalFunction• Everts foot and

plantar flexes anklePeroneus Brevis

Biology 160 Muscles (Need to Know)

Leg Lab 2You will need to know the origins, insertions

and functions for these muscles

• 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,17,18,19,20,21,22,

• Psoas Major and Iliacus