Muscles

• Muscles of Lower Limb

  • Gluteal Region 1 (External): Thigh abductors & rotators
  • Gluteal Region (Internal): Thigh lateral rotators (GOGOPQ)
  • Posterior Thigh: Hip extensors + Knee flexors, i.e. Hamstrings
  • Anterior Thigh: Hip flexors
  • Anterior Thigh: Knee extensors, i.e. Quadriceps femoris
  • Medial Thigh: Thigh adductors (GPA)
  • Posterior compartment of leg (Superficial): Foot plantarflexors (GPS)
  • Posterior compartment of leg (Deep) (Tom Dick Harry, Medial à Lateral)
  • Anterior compartment of leg: Ankle dorsiflexors (FEET, Lateral à Medial)
  • Lateral compartment of leg: Foot evertors
  • 1st Layer of sole: Abductors + Flexor (AFA)
• Muscle


  • Origin
  • Insertion
  • Innervation
  • Main Action
• Gluteus Maximus


  • Thigh EXT (esp. from flexed position)
  • Thigh LR
  • Thigh steadying
  • Thigh rising from sitting position
• Gluteus Medius


  • Thigh ABD + MR
  • Keep pelvis level when ipsilateral limb is weight-bearing and unsupported contralateral side during its swing phase
• Tensor Fascia Lata


  • Thigh ABD + MR
• Piriformis


  • Extended thigh LR
  • Flexed thigh ABD
  • Steadying femoral head in acetabulum
• Obturator Internus


  • Thigh LR
• Superior Gemellus


  • Thigh LR
• Inferior Gemellus


  • Thigh LR
• Quadratus Femoris


  • Thigh LR
  • Steadying femoral head in acetabulum
• Obturator Externus


  • Thigh LR
• Semitendinosus


  • Thigh EXT
  • Leg FLX + MR (After FLX)
  • Trunk EXT upon flexed thigh and leg
• Semimembranosus


  • Leg FLX + MR (After FLX)
  • Thigh EXT (e.g. accelerating mass during first gait step)
• Biceps Femoris (Long)


  • Leg FLX + LR (After FLX)
  • Thigh EXT (e.g. accelerating mass during first gait step)
• Biceps Femoris (Short)


  • Leg FLX + LR (After FLX)
  • Thigh EXT (e.g. accelerating mass during first gait step)
• Psoas Major


  • Thigh FLX at hip joint
  • Stabilizing hip joint
• Psoas Minor


  • Thigh FLX at hip joint
• Iliacus


  • Thigh FLX at hip joint
• Sartorius


  • Thigh FLX + ABD + LR at hip joint (FABLR)
  • Leg FLX, then MR
• Rectus Femoris


  • Leg EXT
  • Steadying hip joint
  • Assisting thigh FLX
• Vastus Lateralis


  • Leg EXT
• Vastus Medialis


  • Leg EXT
• Vastus Intermedius


  • Leg EXT
• Gracilis


  • Thigh ADD
  • Leg FLX
  • Assisting leg MR
• Pectineus

  • Thigh ADD
  • Thigh FLX
  • Assisting thigh MR
• Adductor Longus

  • Thigh ADD
• Adductor Brevis


  • Thigh ADD
  • Thigh FLX to some extent
• Adductor Magnus


  • Thigh ADD
  • Thigh FLX
  • Thigh EXT
• Gastrocnemius


  • Foot PF upon extended knee joint à Heels raising during gait cycle
  • Leg FLX at knee joint
• Plantaris


  • Weakly assisting gastrocnemius in foot PF and leg FLX
• Soleus


  • Foot PF à Independent of knee position
  • Steadying leg on foot
• Popliteus


  • Weak knee FLX
  • Unlocking knee by femoral 5° LR on fixed tibia
  • Tibial MR on unplanted limb
• Tibialis Posterior


  • Foot PF
  • Foot IV
  • Supports medial longitudinal arch during walking
• Flexor Digitorum Longus


  • Lateral 4 digits FLX
  • Foot PF
  • Supports longitudinal arches
• Flexor Hallucis Longus


  • Hallux FLX at all joints
  • Weak foot PF
  • Supports medial longitudinal arch
• Tibialis Anterior


  • Ankle DF
  • Foot EV
• Extensor Digitorum Longus


  • Ankle DF
  • Lateral 4 digits EXT
• Extensor Hallucis Longus


  • Ankle DF
  • Hallux EXT
• Fibularis Tertius

  • Ankle DF
  • Assisting foot EV
• Fibularis Longus


  • Foot EV
  • Weak foot PF