Cheat Sheet (English Terminology)

Lower Limb:
Muscle Charts

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 Hip and thigh muscles

Gluteal Muscles Origin Insertion Innervation Function

Lateroposterior surface
of sacrum and coccyx, Hip joint: Thigh extension,
Gluteal surface of ilium Thigh external rotation,
Gluteus Iliotibial tract, Gluteal Inferior gluteal nerve (L5-
(behind posterior gluteal Thigh abduction (superior
maximus tuberosity of femur S2)
line), Thoracolumbar part), Thigh adduction
fascia, Sacrotuberous (inferior part)
ligament

Gluteal surface of ilium

Lateral aspect of greater
Gluteus medius (between anterior and
trochanter of femur Hip joint: Thigh abduction,
posterior gluteal lines)
Thigh internal rotation
(anterior part); Pelvis
Gluteal surface of ilium Anterior aspect of stabilization
Gluteus
(between anterior and greater trochanter of
minimus
inferior gluteal lines) femur Superior gluteal nerve
(L4-S1)
Hip joint: Thigh internal
rotation, (Weak abduction);
Anterior superior iliac
Tensor fasciae Knee joint: Leg external
spine (ASIS), Outer lip of Iliotibial tract
latae rotation, (Weak leg flexion/
iliac crest
extension); Stabilises hip &
knee joints
 Inner Hip
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
Muscles

Iliacus Iliac fossa Femoral nerve (L2-L4)

Vertebral bodies of T12- Lesser trochanter of Hip joint: Thigh/trunk

L4, Intervertebral discs femur flexion, Thigh external
Psoas major between T12-L4, Costal
rotation; Trunk lateral
processes of L1-L5 Anterior rami of spinal flexion (Psoas major/minor
vertebrae nerves L1-L3 only)

Vertebral bodies of T12 & Iliopubic eminence,

Psoas minor
L1 vertebrae Pectineal line of pubis

Anterior surface of
Obturator obturator membrane, Trochanteric fossa of
Obturator nerve (L3, L4)
externus Bony boundaries of femur
obturator foramen

Ischiopubic ramus,
Obturator Medial surface of greater
Posterior surface of
internus trochanter of femur
Triceps coxae

obturator membrane Nerve to obturator

internus (L5, S1)
Hip joint: Thigh external
Superior
Ischial spine Medial surface of greater rotation, Thigh abduction
gemellus
trochanter of femur, (via (from flexed hip); Stabilises
tendon of obturator head of femur in
Inferior internus) Nerve to quadratus acetabulum
Ischial tuberosity
gemellus femoris (L4-S1)

Anterior surface of the

sacrum (between the S2
and S4), Gluteal surface
Apex of greater Nerve to piriformis 

Piriformis of ilium (near posterior
trochanter of femur (S1-S2)
inferior iliac spine),
(Sacrotuberous
ligament)

Hip joint: Thigh external

Quadratus Intertrochanteric crest of Nerve to quadratus
Ischial tuberosity rotation; Stabilises head of
femoris femur femoris (L4-S1)
femur in acetabulum

Anterior thigh
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
muscles

Hip joint: Thigh flexion,

Proximal end of tibia Thigh abduction, Thigh
Anterior superior iliac
Sartorius below medial condyle external rotation; Knee
spine (ASIS)
(via pes anserinus) joint: Leg flexion, Leg
internal rotation

Anterior inferior iliac

Hip joint: Thigh flexion;
Rectus femoris spine, Supracetabluar
Knee joint: Leg extension
groove Tibial tuberosity (via
patellar ligament), Patella
Quadriceps femoris

Vastus Anterior surface of

Femoral nerve (L2-L4)
intermedius femoral shaft

Linea aspera of femur, Tibial tuberosity (via

Vastus lateralis Greater trochanter of patellar ligament), Patella,
femur (Lateral condyle of tibia)
Knee joint: Leg extension

Intertrochanteric line,
spiral line and linea Tibial tuberosity (via
Vastus medialis aspera, medial patellar ligament), Patella,
supracondylar line of (Medial condyle of tibia)
femur
Posterior thigh
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
muscles

(Superolateral
Semimembranosus impression of) Medial condyle of tibia Hip joint: Thigh extension,
Ischial tuberosity Thigh internal rotation;
Tibial division of sciatic
Knee joint: Leg flexion, Leg
nerve (L5-S2)
(Posteromedial Proximal end of tibia internal rotation; Stabilises
Semitendinosus impression of) below medial condyle pelvis
Ischial tuberosity (via pes anserinus)

Long head:
(Inferomedial
impression of)
Ischial tuberosity, Long head: Tibial division
Sacrotuberous Hip joint: Thigh extension,
of sciatic nerve (L5-S2)

Thigh external rotation;
ligament
 (Lateral aspect of) 

Biceps femoris Knee joint: Leg flexion, Leg

 Head of fibula Short head: Common external rotation; Stabilises
Short head: Linea fibular division of sciatic pelvis
aspera of femur nerve (L5-S2)
(lateral lip), Lateral
supracondylar line of
femur

Medial thigh
Origin Insertion Innervation Function
muscles

Hip joint: Thigh flexion,

Thigh adduction, Thigh
Superior pubic ramus Pectineal line of femur, Femoral nerve (L2, L3)
Pectineus external rotation, Thigh
(Pectineal line of pubis) Linea aspera of femur (Obturator nerve (L2, L3)
internal rotation; Pelvis
stabilization

Adductor part: Inferior Adductor part: Gluteal Adductor part: Obturator

Hip joint: Thigh flexion,
pubic ramus, Ischial tuberosity, Linea aspera nerve (L2-L4)

Thigh adduction, Thigh
ramus (medial lip), Medial
external rotation (adductor
Adductor supracondylar line
 Ischiocondylar part: Tibial
part), Thigh extension,
magnus Ischiocondylar part: division of sciatic nerve
Thigh internal rotation
Ischial tuberosity Ischiocondylar part: (L4)
(ischiocondylar part); Pelvis
Adductor tubercle of
stabilization
femur

Adductor Gluteal tuberosity of Hip joint: Thigh adduction,

Inferior public ramus
minimus femur Thigh external rotation

Hip joint: Thigh flexion,

Adductor Thigh adduction, Thigh
Anterior body of pubis
longus external rotation; Pelvis
Obturator nerve (L2-L4)
stabilization
Linea aspera of femur
(medial lip)
Hip joint: Thigh flexion,
Anterior body of pubis, Thigh adduction, Thigh
Adductor brevis
Inferior pubic ramus external rotation; Pelvis
stabilization

Hip joint: Thigh flexion,

Anterior body of pubis, Medial surface of
Thigh adduction; Knee
Gracilis Inferior pubic ramus, proximal tibia (via pes Obturator nerve (L2-L3)
joint: Leg flexion, Leg
Ischial ramus anserinus)
internal rotation

Anterior leg
Origin
muscles
Lateral tibial condyle,
proximal half of lateral
Tibialis anterior
surface of tibia,
Interosseous membrane
(Middle third of ) Medial
Extensor
surface of fibula,
hallucis longus
Interosseous membrane
(Proximal half of) Medial
Extensor
surface of fibula, Lateral
digitorum
tibial condyle,
longus
Interosseus membrane
(Distal third of) Medial
Fibularis tertius surface of fibula, Anterior
intermuscular septum
Leg muscles
Insertion Innervation Function
Talocrural Joint: Foot
dorsiflexion; Subtalar joint:
Medial cuneiform bone,
Deep fibular nerve (L4, L5) Foot inversion; Supports
Base of metatarsal bone 1
medial longitudinal arch of
foot
Metatarsophalangeal and
Base of distal phalanx of interphalangeal joint 1: Toe
great toe extension; Talocrural joint:
Foot dorsiflexion
Metatarsophalangeal and
interphalangeal joints 2-5:
Distal and middle Deep fibular nerve (L5, S1) Toe extension; Talocrural
phalanges of digits 2-5 joint: Foot dorsiflexion;
Subtalar joint: Foot
eversion
Talocrural joint: Foot
Dorsal surface of base of
dorsiflexion; Subtalar joint:
metatarsal bone 5
Foot eversion
Lateral leg
Origin
muscles
Head of fibula, Proximal
2/3 of lateral surface of
Fibularis longus fibula, Anterior and
posterior intermuscular
septa
Distal 2/3 of lateral
Fibularis brevis surface of fibula, Anterior
intermuscular septum
Posterior leg
Origin
muscles
Lateral head:
Posterolateral surface of
lateral femoral condyle

Gastrocnemius 

Medial head: Posterior
surface of medial femoral
condyle, Popliteal surface
of femoral shaft
Soleal line, Medial border
Soleus of tibia, Head of fibula,
Posterior border of fibula
Lateral supracondylar line
of femur, Oblique
Plantaris
popliteal ligament of
knee
Lateral femoral condyle,
Popliteus Posterior horn of lateral
meniscus of knee joint
Posterior surface of tibia,
Tibialis Posterior surface of
posterior fibula, Interosseous
membrane
Flexor
Posterior surface of tibia,
digitorum
(inferior to soleal line)
longus
(Distal 2/3 of) Posterior
surface of fibula,
Flexor hallucis Interosseous membrane,
longus Posterior intermuscular
septum, Fascia of tibialis
posterior muscle
Insertion Innervation Function
Talocrural joint: Foot
plantar flexion; Subtalar
Medial cuneiform bone,
joint: Foot eversion;
Metatarsal bone 1
Supports longitudinal and
Superficial fibular nerve transverse arches of foot
(L5, S1)
Talocrural joint: Foot
Tuberosity of metatarsal
plantar flexion; Subtalar
bone 5
joint: Foot eversion
Insertion Innervation Function
Talocrural joint: Foot
plantar flexion; Knee joint:
Leg flexion
Posterior surface of
calcaneus Tibial nerve (S1, S2)
(via calcaneal tendon)
Talocrural joint: Foot
plantar flexion
Talocrural joint: Foot
plantar flexion; Knee joint:
Knee flexion
Posterior surface of Unlocks knee joint; Knee
Tibial nerve (L5-S2)
proximal tibia joint stabilization
Tuberosity of navicular Talocrural joint: Foot
bone, All cuneiform plantar flexion; Subtalar
bones, bases of Tibial nerve (L4, L5) joint: Foot inversion;
metatarsal bones 2-4 Supports medial
(Cuboid bone) longitudinal arch of foot
Metatarsophalangeal and
interphalangeal joints 2-5:
Bases of distal phalanges Toe flexion; Talocrural joint:
Tibial nerve (L5-S2)
of digits 2-5 Foot plantar flexion;
Subtalar joint: Foot
inversion
Metatarsophalangeal and
interphalangeal joint 1: Toe
Base of distal phalanx of flexion; Talocrural joint:
Tibial nerve (S2, S3)
great toe Foot plantar flexion;
Subtalar joint: Foot
inversion

Medial plantar
Origin
muscles
Medial process of
Abductor calcaneal tuberosity,
hallucis Flexor retinaculum,
Plantar aponeurosis
Tendon of tibialis
posterior, Medial
Flexor hallucis
cuneiform bone, Lateral
brevis
cuneiform bone, Cuboid
bone
Oblique head: bases
metatarsal bones 2-4,
Cuboid bone, Lateral
Adductor cuneiform bone, Tendon
hallucis of fibularis longus muscle
 Lateral aspect of base of
(*located in 

central Transverse head: plantar
compartment) metatarsophalangeal &
deep transverse
metatarsal ligaments of
toes 3-5
Foot muscles
Insertion Innervation Function
Metatarsophalangeal joint
Base of proximal phalanx Medial plantar nerve 1: Toe abduction, Toe
of great toe (S1-S3) flexion; Support of
longitudinal arch of foot
Lateral and medial
Metatarsophalangeal joint
aspects of base of Medial plantar nerve
1: Toe flexion; Support of
promixal phalanx of great (S1,S2)
longitudinal arch of foot
toe
Metatarsophalangeal joint
1: Toe adduction, Toe
Lateral plantar nerve
proximal phalanx of great flexion; Support of
(S2,S3)
toe longitudinal and transverse
arches of foot
Central plantar
Origin
muscles
Flexor Medial process of calcaneal
digitorum tuberosity, Plantar
brevis aponeurosis
Medial surface of
Quadratus calcaneus bone, Lateral
plantae process of calcaneal
tuberosity
Tendons of flexor
Lumbricals (4)
digitorum longus
Plantar Medial aspects of
interossei (3) metatarsal bones 3-5
Dorsal Opposing sides of
interossei (4) metatarsal bones 1-5
Lateral plantar
Origin
muscles
Abductor digiti Calcaneal tuberosity,
minimi Plantar aponeurosis
Flexor digiti Base of metatarsal bone 5,
minimi brevis Long plantar ligament
Long plantar ligament,
Opponens digiti Base of metatarsal bone 5,
minimi Tendon sheath of fibularis
longus
Dorsal muscles Origin
Superolateral surface of
Extensor calcaneus bone,
digitorum interosseous talocalcaneal
brevis ligament; Stem of inferior
extensor retinaculum
Extensor Superolateral surface of
hallucis brevis calcaneus bone
Insertion Innervation Function
Metatarsophalangeal joints
Middle phalanges of Medial plantar nerve
2-5: Toe flexion; Supports
digits 2-5 (S1-S3)
longitudinal arch of foot
Tendon of flexor Lateral plantar nerve Metatarsophalangeal joints
digitorum longus (S1-S3) 2-5: Toe flexion
Lumbrical 1: Medial Metatarsophalangeal joints
Medial bases of proximal
plantar nerve (S2,S3); 2-5: Toe flexion, Toes
phalanges and extensor
Lumbricals 2-4: Lateral adduction; Interphalangeal
expansion of digits 2-5
plantar nerve (S2-S3) joints 2-5: Toes extension
Metatarsophalangeal joints
Medial bases of proximal
3-5: Toe flexion, Toes
phalanges and extensor
adduction; Interphalangeal
expansion of digits 3-5
joints 3-5: Toes extension
1: Medial base of Lateral plantar nerve
proximal phalanx of (S2-S3)
Metatarsophalangeal joints
digit 2
2-4: Toe flexion, Toe
2-4: Lateral bases of
abduction; Interphalangeal
proximal phalanges and
joints 2-4: Toe extension
extensor expansion of
digits 2-4
Insertion Innervation Function
Metatarsophalangeal joint
Base of proximal
Lateral plantar nerve 5: Toe abduction, Toe
phalanx of digit 5,
(S1-S3) flexion; Supports
Metatarsal bone 5
longitudinal arch of foot
Base of proximal Lateral plantar nerve Metatarsophalangeal joint
phalanx of digit 5 (S2-S3) 5: Toe flexion
Metatarsophalangeal joint
Lateral border of Lateral plantar nerve
5: Toe abduction, Toe
metatarsal bone 5 (S2-S3)
flexion
Insertion Innervation Function
Extensor digitorum
Distal interphalangeal
longus tendons of toes
joints 2-4: Toe extension
2–4 Deep fibular/peroneal
nerve (L5,S1)
Proximal phalanx of Metatarsophalangeal joint
great toe 1: Toe extension
 Complete your muscle charts collection
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