Muscles of the Lower Limb - Listed Alphabetically

Muscle Origin Insertion Action Innervation Artery Notes

abductor digiti medial and lateral side of abducts the 5th toe; lateral plantar lateral abductor digiti
oot) lateral sides of thethe
tuberosity
base of the proximal
flexes the metatarsophalageal joint minimi forms the lateral margin of
of the calcaneus phalanx of the 5th digit the sole of the foot

abductor hallucis medial side of medial side of abducts the great toe; medial plantar medial abductor hallucis
the tuberosity of calcaneus
the base of the proximal
flexes the metatarsophalageal joint forms the medial margin of the
phalanx of the great toe sole of the foot

adductor brevis inferior pubic pectineal line adducts, flexes, and anterior obturator a., anterior and
and linea aspera (deep
medially
to the
rotates the femur
division of the obturator
deep femoral
nerve posterior
a. divisions of the obturator
pectineus and adductor longus nerve lie on the anterior and
posterior surfaces of adductor

adductor hallucis oblique head: lateral side of adducts the great toe deep branch of plantar the plantar arterial
bases of metatarsals
base2-4;
of the proximal
(moves
phalanx
it toward midlinethe
of the
lateral
foot;
plantar nerve arch passes superior to the
transverse head: heads
of the great
of toe i.e.toward the 2nd digit) oblique head of adductor hallucis
metatarsals 3-5

adductor longus medial portion linea aspera of adducts, flexes, and anterior obturator a., the most anterior of
of the superior pubic ramus medially rotates the femur
division of the obturator
deep femoral
nerve the
a. adductor group of muscles

adductor magnus ischiopubic linea aspera of adducts, flexes, and posterior obturator a., the ischiocondylar
ramus and ischialthe
tuberosity
femur; the ischiocondylar
medially rotates the femur;
division
extendsof the obturator
deep femoral part
a., medial
of adductor magnus is a
part inserts on the the
adductor
femur (ischiocondylarnerve;
part) tibial nervefemoral circumflex
hamstring
a. muscle by embryonic
tubercle of the femur (ischiocondylar part) origin and action, so it is
innervated by the tibial nerve

gluteal ridge and obturator a., adductor minimus

lower portion of adducts and laterally posterior
adductor minimus upper part of the linea aspera medial femoralm.circumflex
is the uppermost fibers of the
the inferior pubic ramus rotates the femur division of the obturator nerve
a., deep femoral
adductor
a. magnus m.

articularis genu anterior surface articular capsule elevates the articular femoral nerve descending articularis genu is
of the femur above the capsule of the knee joint formed by muscle fascicles deep
patellar surface to the vastus intermedius m.

biceps femoris long head: head of fibula extends the thigh, long head: perforating one of the
ischial tuberosity; and
shortlateral
head:condyleflexes
of thethe
tibia
leg tibial nerve; shortbranches
head: of the
"hamstring"
deep muscles
lateral lip of the linea aspera common fibular (peroneal)

dorsal interosseous shafts of bases of the abduct digits 2-4 deep branch of dorsal four in number;
adjacent metatarsal
proximal
bones phalanges(move
for digit
these
2 digits awaythe
from
lateral plantarmetatarsal
nerve aa.remember DAB (Dorsal interossei
(both sides) & digits
midline
3,4 as defined by a plane ABduct) and PAD (Plantar
(lateral side) passing through the 2nd digit); flex interossei ADduct), then logic can
the metatarsophalangeal joints and tell you where these muscles
extend the interphalangeal joints of

extensor digitorum superolateral extensor extends toes 1-4 deep fibular dorsalis the part of the
surface of the calcaneus
expansion of toes 1-4 (peroneal) nerve extensor digitorum brevis that
 goes to the great toe is called the
extensor hallucis brevis m.

extensor digitorum lateral condyle dorsum of the extends the deep fibular anterior one of the muscles
of the tibia, anterior
lateral
surface
4 toes
of via extensor
metatarsophalangeal, proximal
(peroneal) nerve involved in anterior compartment
the fibula, lateral portion
expansions
of (central interphalangeal
slip inserts and distal
the interosseous membrane
on base of middle interphalangeal
phalanx, joints of the lateral 4
lateral slips on base of distal

extensor hallucis superolateral dorsum of base extends the great toe deep fibular dorsalis usually considered
surface of the calcaneus
of proximal phalanx of the (peroneal) nerve to be the medial-most part of the
extensor digitorum brevis m.

extensor hallucis middle half of base of the extends the deep fibular anterior one of the muscles
the anterior surface
distal
of the
phalanx of the
metatarsophalangeal
great toe (peroneal) nerve involved in anterior compartment
fibula and the interosseous interphalangeal joints of the great

fibularis (peroneus) lower one third tuberosity of the extends (plantar superficial fibular stress fracture of the
of the lateral surface
base
ofof
thethe 5th metatarsal
flexes) and everts the foot
fibular (peroneal)(peroneal)
nerve a. base of the 5th metatarsal bone is
a common runner's injury

fibularis (peroneus) upper two/thirds after crossing extends (plantar superficial fibular fibularis longus lies
of the lateral surface
the of
plantar
the surfaceflexes)
of the and
foot everts the foot
fibular (peroneal)(peroneal)
nerve a. superficial to the fibularis brevis m.
deep to the intrinsic muscles, it in the lateral compartment of the
inserts on the medial
cuneiform and the base of the
1st metatarsal bone

fibularis (peroneus) distal part of the dorsum of the everts the foot deep fibular anterior fibularis tertius is in
anterior surface ofshaft
the fibula
of the 5th metatarsal (peroneal) nerve the anterior compartment of the
leg, not the lateral compartment
(which contains fibularis longus

flexor digiti minimi base of 5th lateral side of flexes the lateral plantar lateral none
metatarsal bone base of proximal phalanx
metatarsophalangeal
of joint of the 5th

flexor digitorum tuberosity of the base of the flexes the medial plantar medial and flexor digitorum
calcaneus, plantarmiddle phalanx of metatarsophalangeal
digits 2-5 & proximal lateral plantarbrevis
aa. in the foot is equivalent to
aponeurosis, intermuscular
after splitting to allow
interphalangeal
passage joints of digits 2-5 the flexor digitorum superficialis m.
of the flexor digitorum longus

flexor digitorum middle half of bases of the flexes the tibial nerve tibial a. flexor digitorum
the posterior surface
distal
of phalanges
the ofmetatarsophalangeal,
digits 2-5 proximal longus in the leg is equivalent to
interphalangeal and distal the flexor digitorum profundus m.
interphalangeal joints of digits 2-5;
plantar flexes the foot

flexor hallucis cuboid, lateral medial belly: flexes the medial plantar medial each tendon of
cuneiform, medialmedial
side ofside
the of proximal
metatarsophalangeal joint
nerve
of the
(lateral belly insertion contains a sesamoid
first metatarsal phalanx of the great toe; occasionally receives
lateral belly: lateral side of the innervation from the lateral
proximal phalanx of the great plantar nerve)
flexor hallucis lower 2/3 of the base of the flexes the tibial nerve fibular flexor hallucis
posterior surface of
distal
the phalanx
fibula of the
metatarsophalangeal
great toe and proximal (peroneal) a. and
longus
tibial
is a.
very important in the
interphalangeal joints of the great "push off" part of the normal gait
toe; plantar flexes the foot

gastrocnemius femur; medial dorsum of the flexes leg; plantar tibial nerve sural aa. the calcaneal
head: above the medial
calcaneus via the calcaneal (from the popliteal
tendon
a.),of the gastrocnemius and
femoral condyle; lateral
(Achilles')
head:tendon posterior tibialsoleus
a. is the thickest and
above the lateral femoral strongest tendon in the body

gemellus, inferior ischial obturator laterally rotates the nerve to the inferior gemellus is a Latin
internus tendon quadratus femoris m. word that means "little twin"

gemellus, superior ischial spine obturator laterally rotates the nerve to the inferior gemellus is a Latin
internus tendon obturator internus m. word that means "little twin"

gluteus maximus posterior gluteal upper fibers: extends the thigh; inferior gluteal superior gluteus maximus is
line, posterior surface
iliotibial
of tract; lowermost
laterally
fibers:
rotates the femur and inferior gluteal
a site aa.
of intramuscular injection
sacrum and coccyx, gluteal tuberosity of the femur
sacrotuberous ligament

gluteus medius external surface greater abducts the femur; superior gluteal superior the angle at which
of the ilium between
trochanter
the of the femur
medially rotates the thigh the gluteus medius tendon
posterior and anterior gluteal approaches the greater trochanter
of the femur is anterior to the axis
of rotation of the thigh, resulting in
medial rotation

gluteus minimus external surface greater abducts the femur; superior gluteal superior the angle at which
of the ilium between
trochanter
the of the femur
medially rotates the thigh the gluteus minimus tendon
anterior and inferior gluteal approaches the greater trochanter
of the femur is anterior to the axis
of rotation of the thigh, resulting in
medial rotation

gracilis pubic medial surface adducts the thigh, anterior obturator a. the pes anserinus is
symphysis and the
ofinferior
the tibia (via pesflexes
anserinus)
and medially rotates
division
the of the obturator nerve the common insertion of the
pubic ramus thigh, flexes the leg gracilis, sartorius, and
semitendinosus mm.

iliacus iliac fossa and lesser trochanter flexes the thigh; if the femoral nerve iliolumbar a. inserts in company
iliac crest; ala of sacrum
of the femur thigh is fixed it flexes the pelvis on with the psoas major m. via the
iliopsoas tendon

iliopsoas iliac fossa; lesser trochanter flexes the thigh; flexes branches of the iliolumbar a. a combination of the
bodies and transverse and laterally bends the lumbar
ventral primary rami of spinal iliacus and psoas major mm.
processes of lumbar vertebral column nerves L2-L4; branches of
the femoral nerve

inferior gemellus ischial obturator laterally rotates the nerve to the inferior gemellus is a Latin
internus tendon quadratus femoris m. word that means "little twin"

interosseous, shafts of bases of the abduct digits 2-4 deep branch of dorsal four in number;
adjacent metatarsal
proximal
bones phalanges
(move
for digit
these
2 digits awaythe
from
lateral plantarmetatarsal
nerve aa.remember DAB (Dorsal interossei
 (both sides) & digits
midline
3,4 as defined by a plane ABduct) and PAD (Plantar
(lateral side) passing through the 2nd digit); flex interossei ADduct), then logic can
the metatarsophalangeal joints and tell you where these muscles
extend the interphalangeal joints of

interosseous, base and bases of adduct digits 3-5 deep branch of plantar remember PAD
medial side of metatarsals
proximal phalanges
3-5 (move
and these digits towardthethe
lateral plantarmetatarsal
nerve aa.(Plantar interossei ADduct) and
extensor expansions
midline
of digits
of the foot as defined by a DAB (Dorsal interossei ABduct),
plane through the second digit); flex and logic will tell you where these
the metacarpophalangeal and muscles must insert
extend interphalangeal joints of

lumbricals (foot) tendons of the medial side of flex the medial (1st) medial and the lumbricals of the
flexor digitorum longus
the extensor expansion
metatarsophalangeal
of joint,
lumbrical:
extend medial lateral
plantarplantarfoot
aa. have the same action on the
the proximal interphalangeal
nerve;& lateral
distal three toes that the lumbricals in the
interphalangeal joints oflumbricals:
digits 2-5 lateral plantar hand have on the fingers

obturator externus the external trochanteric laterally rotates the obturator nerve obturator a. the tendon of the
surface of the obturator
fossa of the femur obturator externus m. passes
membrane and the superior inferior to the neck of the femur to
and inferior pubic rami reach its insertion site

obturator internus the internal greater laterally rotates and nerve to the obturator a. the obturator
surface of the obturator
trochanter on its medial
abducts the thigh obturator internus m. internus m. leaves the pelvis by
membrane and margin
surfaceof above
the the trochanteric passing through the lesser sciatic
obturator foramen foramen; the superior and inferior
gemellus mm. insert on the
obturator internus tendon

pectineus pecten of the pectineal line of adducts, flexes, and femoral nerve medial pectineus often has
medially rotates the thigh
and possibly the anterior
femoral circumflex
a duala.innervation
division of the obturator nerve

peroneus mm. peroneus is the old

ularis mm.) terminology used for the fibularis

piriformis anterior surface upper border of laterally rotates and ventral rami of piriformis leaves the
greater trochanter abducts
of femurthigh pelvis by passing through the
greater sciatic foramen

plantar base and bases of adduct digits 3-5 deep branch of plantar remember PAD
eous medial side of metatarsals
proximal phalanges
3-5 (move
and these digits towardthethe
lateral plantarmetatarsal
nerve aa.(Plantar interossei ADduct) and
extensor expansions
midline
of digits
of the foot as defined by a DAB (Dorsal interossei ABduct),
plane through the second digit); flex and logic will tell you where these
the metacarpophalangeal and muscles must insert
extend interphalangeal joints of

plantaris above the dorsum of the flexes the leg; plantar tibial nerve popliteal a. plantaris has a long
lateral femoral condyle
calcaneus
(abovemedial to
flexes
the the foot slender tendon that is equivalent
the lateral head ofcalcaneal tendon to the tendon of the palmaris
gastrocnemius) longus m. of the arm; its tendon is
often called the "freshman nerve"
 because it is often misidentified by
the freshman medical student

popliteus lateral condyle posterior surface flexes and rotates the tibial nerve popliteal a. has a round tendon
of the femur of the tibia above soleal
leg medially
line (with the foot planted, it of origin; popliteus unlocks the
rotates the thigh laterally) knee joint to initiate flexion of the

psoas major bodies and lesser trochanter flexes the thigh; flexes branches of the subcostal the genitofemoral
transverse processes
of femur
of (with iliacus)
& laterally
via bends the lumbar
ventral primary rami
a., lumbar
of spinal
aa.nerve pierces the anterior surface
lumbar vertebrae iliopsoas tendon vertebral column nerves L2-L4 of the psoas major m.

psoas minor bodies of the iliopubic flexes & laterally branches of the lumbar aa. absent in 40% of
T12 & L1 vertebrae
eminence at the linebends
of the lumbar vertebral
ventral
column
primary rams of spinal
junction of the ilium and the nerves L1-L2
superior pubic ramus

quadratus femoris lateral border of quadrate line of laterally rotates the nerve to the inferior the nerve to the
the ischial tuberosity
the femur below the quadratus femoris m. quadratus femoris m. also
intertrochanteric crest innervates the inferior gemellus m.

quadratus plantae anterior portion tendons of the assists the flexor lateral plantar lateral the quadratus
of the calcaneus and
flexor
thedigitorum
long longus
digitorum
m. longus in flexing the toes plantae m. changes the line of
plantar ligament force of the flexor digitorum longus
m. to bring it in line with the long
axis of the foot

quadriceps femoris anterior surface tibial tuberosity extends the knee; femoral nerve lateral composed of 4
of the femur and the
via anterior
the patellar ligament
rectus femoris flexes the thigh circumflex femoral
muscles:
a., rectus femoris, vastus
side of the medial and lateral deep femoral lateralis,
a. vastus intermedius and
intermuscular septa vastus medialis

rectus femoris straight head: patella and tibial extends the leg, femoral nerve lateral rectus femoris is
anterior inferior iliac
tuberosity
spine; (via the flexes
patellarthe thigh circumflex femoral
part ofa.the quadriceps femoris
reflected head: above the
superior rim of the

sartorius anterior medial surface flexes, abducts and femoral nerve lateral sartorius means
superior iliac spine
of the tibia (pes anserinus)
laterally rotates the thigh; flexes leg femoral circumflex
"tailor";
a.,its actions put the lower
saphenous a.limb in the traditional cross-legged
seated position of a tailor

semimembranosus upper, outer medial condyle extends the thigh, tibial nerve perforating one of the
surface of the ischial flexes the leg branches of the
"hamstring"
deep muscles

semitendinosus lower, medial medial surface extends the thigh, tibial nerve perforating pes anserinus is the
surface of ischial tuberosity
of tibia (via pes anserinus)
flexes the leg branches of the
common
deep insertion for the gracilis,
(common tendon with biceps sartorius, and semitendinosus

soleus posterior dorsum of the plantar flexes the foot tibial nerve posterior soleus,
surface of head and calcaneus
upper via the calcaneal gastrocnemius, and plantaris mm.
shaft of the fibula,(Achilles')
soleal linetendon are sometimes called the triceps
surae muscle
superior gemellus ischial spine obturator laterally rotates the nerve to the inferior gemellus is a Latin
internus tendon obturator internus m. word that means "little twin"

tensor fasciae latae anterior part of iliotibial tract flexes, abducts, and superior gluteal superior tensor fascia latae
the iliac crest, anterior medially rotates the thigh redirects the rotational forces of
superior iliac spine the gluteus maximus m.

tibialis anterior lateral tibial medial surface dorsiflexes and deep fibular anterior acts as both an
condyle and the upper
of thelateral
medial cuneiform
invertsand
the foot (peroneal) nerve antagonist (dorsiflexion/plantar
surface of the tibiathe 1st metatarsal flexion) and a synergist (inversion)
of the tibialis posterior m.

tibialis posterior interosseous tuberosity of the plantar flexes the foot; tibial nerve fibular acts as both an
membrane, posteromedial
navicular and medial
inverts the foot (peroneal) a. and
antagonist
tibial a.(dorsiflexion/plantar
surface of the fibula,
cuneiform, metatarsals 2-4 flexion) and a synergist (inversion)
posterolateral surface of the of the tibialis anterior m.

vastus intermedius anterior and patella extends the leg femoral nerve lateral vastus intermedius
lateral surface of the femur femoral circumflex
is parta.of the quadriceps femoris

vastus lateralis lateral patella and extends leg femoral nerve lateral vastus lateralis is
intermuscular septum,medial
lateral
patellar retinaculum femoral circumflex
part ofa.,the quadriceps femoris
lip of the linea aspera and the perforating branches of
gluteal tuberosity the deep femoral a.

vastus medialis medial patella and extends leg femoral nerve lateral vastus medialis is
intermuscular septum,
medial
medial
patellar retinaculum femoral circumflex
part ofa.the quadriceps femoris
lip of the linea aspera