Lower Limb Cheat Sheet (DRAFT) by hannah93

Gluteus Maximus

Gluteal (poste­rior) surface of the ilium, sacrum and coccyx

iliotibial tract and gluteal tuberosity of the femur

Inferior gluteal nerve

main extensor of the thigh, and assists with lateral rotation

Gluteus Minimus

ilium and converges to form a tendon

anterior side of the greater trochanter

Superior gluteal nerve

Abduction and medial rotation of the lower limb

Piriformis

Anterior surface of the sacrum

Fibres travel inferiorly and laterally through the greater sciatic foramen to insert onto the greater trochanter of the femur

Nerve to piriformis

Lateral rotation and abduction

Superior and Inferior Gemellus (gemelli)

Superior gemellus muscle originates from the ischial spine, the inferior from the ischial tuberosity

Both attach to the greater trochanter of the femur

Superior gemellus muscle is innervated by the nerve to obturator internus, the inferior gemellus is innervated by the nerve to quadratus femoris

Lateral rotation and abduction

iliopsoas

psoas major originates from the lumbar vertebrae, and the iliacus originates from the iliac fossa of the pelvis

together onto the lesser trochanter of the femur

psoas major is innervated by anterior rami of L1-3, while the iliacus is innervated by the femoral nerve

Flexion of the the thigh at the hip joint

Vastus Interm­edius

anterior and lateral surfaces of the femoral shaft.

insert onto the patella via the quadriceps tendon. The patella, in turn, is attached to the tibial tuberosity by the patella ligament

Femoral Nerve

Extension of the knee joint. It has a secondary function of stabil­ising the patella.

Rectus Femoris

Originates from the anterior inferior iliac spine and the ilium of the pelvis.

attaches to the patella via the quadriceps femoris tendon

Femoral Nerve

Extension of the knee joint and flexion of the hip joint (it is the only muscle of the quadriceps group to cross both the hip and knee joints).

pectineus

Originates from the pectineal line of the pubis bone

inserts onto the pectineal line on the posterior aspect of the femur, immedi­ately inferior to the lesser trocha­nter.

Femoral nerve. May also receive a branch from the obturator nerve.

Adduction and flexion at the hip joint

Adductor Magnus

Adductor – Originates from the inferior rami of the pubis and the rami of ischium. Hamstring part – Originates from the ischial tuberosity

Adductor – attaches to the linea aspera of the femur. Hamstring part – attaches to the adductor tubercle and medial suprac­ondylar line of the femur.

Adductor – Obturator nerve (L2-L4) Hamstring part – Tibial component of the sciatic nerve (L4-S3).

Adductor – Adduction and flexion of the thigh Hamstring – Adduction and extension of the thigh.

Adductor Brevis

Originates from the body of pubis and inferior pubic rami

Attaches to the linea aspera on the posterior surface of the femur (proximal to the adductor longus attach­ment).

Obturator nerve (L2-L4).

Adduction of the thigh.

Gracilis

Originates from the inferior rami of the pubis and the body of the pubis

It descends down the medial aspect of the thigh and attaches to the medial surface of the tibial shaft.

Obturator nerve (L2-L4).

Adduction of the thigh at the hip and flexion of the leg at the knee

Biceps Femoris

The long head originates from the ischial tuberosity of the pelvis. The short head originates from the linea aspera on posterior surface of the femur.

The heads form a tendon, which inserts into the head of the fibula.

Long head innervated by the tibial part of the sciatic nerve, whereas the short head is innervated by the common fibular part of the sciatic nerve.

Main action is flexion at the knee. It also extends the thigh at the hip, and laterally rotates at the hip and knee.

Semime­mbr­anosus

Originates from the ischial tuberosity (more superiorly than the origin of the semite­ndi­nosus and biceps femoris)

Attaches to the medial tibial condyle.

Tibial part of the sciatic nerve

Flexion of the leg at the knee joint. Extension of thigh at the hip. Medially rotates the thigh at the hip joint and the leg at the knee joint.

Tibialis Anterior

Originates from the lateral surface of the tibia

attaches to the medial cuneiform and the base of metatarsal I.

Deep fibular nerve.

Dorsif­lexion and inversion of the foot

Extensor Hallucis Longus

Originates from the medial surface of the fibular shaft

The tendon crosses anterior to the ankle joint and attaches to the base of the distal phalanx of the great toe.

Deep fibular nerve

Extension of the great toe and dorsif­lexion of the foot.

Fibularis Longus

The fibularis longus originates from the superior and lateral surface of the fibula and the lateral tibial condyle.

The fibres converge into a tendon, which descends into the foot, posterior to the lateral malleolus. The tendon crosses under the foot, and attaches to the bones on the medial side, namely the medial cuneiform and base of metatarsal I.

Superf­icial fibular (peroneal) nerve.

Eversion and planta­rfl­exion of the foot. Also supports the lateral and transverse arches of the foot.

Gastro­cnemius

The lateral head originates from the lateral femoral condyle. The medial head originates from the medial femoral condyle. The two heads combine to form a single muscle belly.

Distally, the muscle belly converges with the soleus muscle to form the calcaneal tendon. This inserts onto the calcaneus.

Tibial nerve.

Planta­rfl­exion at the ankle joint and flexion at the knee joint.

Plantaris

Originates from the lateral suprac­ondylar line of the femur. The fibres condense into a tendon which travels down the leg, between the gastro­cnemius and soleus muscles.

It blends with the calcaneal tendon and inserts onto the calcaneus.

Tibial nerve

Contri­butes to planta­rfl­exion at the ankle joint and flexion at the knee joint