Muscles of the

Lower Limb
Prepared by:
Dr. Pauline Francesca C. Medina, PTRP, RPT, DPT

SAN PABLO COLLEGES

College of Physical Therapy
Flexion and Extension of the Thigh at the Hip
Joint
Abduction and Adduction of the Thigh at the
Hip Joint
Internal Rotation and External Rotation of the
Thigh at the Hip Joint

Hip internal Hip external

rotation rotation
Flexion and Extension of the Leg at the Knee
Joint
Internal Rotation and External Rotation of the
Leg at the Knee Joint
Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion of the Foot
Adduction and Abduction of the Foot
Inversion and Eversion of the Foot
Pronation and Supination of the Foot
Flexion and Extension of the Toes
Abduction and Adduction of the Toes
 Lumbar Plexus
T12 ILIOHYPOGASTRIC Nn.

L1 ILIOINGUINAL Nn.
LATERAL FEMORAL
CUTANEOUS Nn. L2 GENITOFEMORAL Nn.

FEMORAL Nn. L3 OBTURATOR Nn.

L4

POSTERIOR PART ANTERIOR PART

Sacral Plexus
L4
Nn to QUADRATUS
SUPERIOR GLUTEAL Nn.
(L4-S1)
L5 FEMORIS (L4-S1)

INFERIOR GLUTEAL Nn. S1 Nn. to OBTURATOR

(L5-S1) INTERNUS (L5-S2)
POSTERIOR FEMORAL S2
CUTANEOUS Nn. TIBIAL Nn.
(S1-S3) S3 (L4-S3)
COMMON
PERONEAL Nn.
(L4-S3) ANTERIOR PART

POSTERIOR PART
Muscles of the lower limb
• larger and stronger than the upper limb muscles
• function in stability, locomotion, and maintenance of posture
• often cross two joints and can act equally on both
• Divided into:
• Muscles of the HIP
• Muscles of the THIGH
• Muscles of the LEG
• Muscles of the FOOT
Muscles of the Hip
Anterior Muscles of the Hip
Iliopsoas
Iliacus
Psoas Major
Psoas Minor
 Psoas major
Iliopsoas
Iliacus

ILIACUS PSOAS MAJOR

• O: iliac fossa • O: sides of T12–L5 vertebrae
• I: lesser trochanter and IV disc
• N: Femoral Nerve • I: lesser trochanter
• A: flex and laterally • N: L1 and L2 lumbar spinal
rotates the thigh at nerves
the hip joint • A: flex and laterally rotates
the thigh at the hip joint
Psoas Minor
• O: iliac fossa
• I: lesser trochanter
• N: Femoral Nerve
• A: flex the thigh at the hip joint
Psoas MINOR
Obturator Externus
• O: margins of obturator foramen
• I: trochanteric crest
• N: Obturator Nerve
• A: Laterally rotates the thigh at the hip
joint
Obturator Externus
Posterior Muscles of the Hip (Buttocks)
• Piriformis
• Gemellus (Superior and Inferior)
• Gluteus Maximus, Medius, and Minimus
• Obturator Internus
• Quadratus Femoris
Piriformis
• O: sacrum, sacrotuberous ligament
• I: greater trochanter
Piriformis
• N: Nerve to Piriformis
• A:
• When the hip is extended: Lateral rotation of
the thigh
• When the hip is flexed: ABduction of the
thigh
Gemellus Superior and Inferior
GEMELLUS SUPERIOR
• O: ischial spine
• I: greater trochanter
• N: Nerve to Obturator
Internus
• A:
• When the hip is
extended: Lateral rotation
of the thigh
• When the hip is flexed:
Abduction of the thigh
GEMELLUS INFERIOR G. Superior
• O: ischial tuberosity
• I: greater trochanter
• N: : Nerve to Obturator
Internus
• A:
• When the hip is
extended: Lateral rotation
of the thigh G. Inferior
• When the hip is flexed:
Abduction of the thigh
Quadratus Femoris
• O: ischial tuberosity
• I: intertrochanteric crest
• N: Nerve to Quadratus Femoris
• A: Lateral rotation of the thigh at the hip joint

Quadratus
Femoris
Obturator Internus
• O: margin or obturator foramen
• I: greater trochanter
• N: Nerve to Obturator Internus
• A:
• When the hip is extended: Lateral rotation of the
thigh
• When the hip is flexed: Abduction of the thigh Obturator Internus
Gluteus Minimus G.Minimus

• O: between anterior and posterior gluteal

line of the ischium
• I: greater trochanter
G.Superior

• N: Superior Gluteal Nerve Quadratus

Femoris

• A:
• Abduction and medial rotation of the thigh
Gluteus Medius G.Medius

• O: between anterior and posterior gluteal

line of the ischium G.Min

• I: greater trochanter
• N: Superior Gluteal Nerve G.Superior

• A: Abduction and medial rotation of the Quadratus

Femoris

thigh
Gluteus Maximus
• O: posterior gluteal line of the ischium;
dorsal surface of sacrum and coccyx;
sacrotuberous ligament
• I: gluteal tuberosity of the femur; iliotibial
tract
G.Maximus
• N: Inferior Gluteal Nerve
• A:
• Extends thigh (especially from flexed
position)
• Assists in lateral rotation of the thigh
Tensor Fascia Latae
TFL G.
Minimum
• O: ASIS G.
Maximus
• I: ITB
• N: Superior Gluteal Nerve ITB
• A: Abduction, Flexion, and medial rotation of
the thigh
Iliotibial Tract or Iliotibial Band
• aponeurosis - a sheet of pearly white fibrous tissue that
takes the place of a tendon in flat muscles having a wide
area of attachment ITB
• it's primary action is to stabilize the hip and knee,
• supports movements of the hip and knee through the
action of the gluteus maximus and TFL.
 • The thigh is the region between
the hip and knee joint

Hip joint

Thigh
• The leg is the region between
the knee and ankle joint
Knee joint

Leg
Ankle joint
• The foot is the region below the leg Foot
Muscles of the Thigh
 anterior

SKIN

lateral Subcutaneous Fat medial

Cross section
through the mid-
thigh
posterior
Muscles of the Anterior Compartment of the Thigh

• Sartorius
• Quadriceps Femoris
• Rectus Femoris
• Vastus Lateralis
• Vastus Intermedius
• Vastus Medialis
Sartorius
• Origin: Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS)
• Insertion: Tibia (upper medial surface)
• Nerve Supply: Femoral Nerve
• Action:
• HIP JOINT: Abduction and Lateral (External) Rotation of
the thigh
• KNEE JOINT: Flexion and Medial (Internal) Rotation of
the leg
Quadriceps Femoris
• Powerful knee extensor
• O:
• Vastus Intermedius – anterior surface of the femur
Vastus Med
• Vastus Medialis – medial line of linea aspera
Vastus
• Vastus Lateralis – lateral line of linea aspera Intermedius
• Rectus Femoris – anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS)
• I: base of the patella; patellar ligament Vastus Lateralis
Rectu
• N: Femoral nerve Femo
• A:
• HIP JOINT: RF flexes the thigh at the hip joint
• KNEE JOINT: Extends the leg at the knee joint Patellar
Ligament
RF
RF

VASTUS MEDIALIS
VASTUS MEDIUS
Muscles of the Posterior Compartment of the
Thigh

Hamstrings
• Biceps Femoris
• Semitendinosus
• Semimembranosus
Biceps Femoris Long head of
the biceps
femoris
• O:
• Long Head of the Biceps: Ischial tuberosity
• Short Head of the Biceps: Linea aspera and lateral
supracondylar ridge of the femur Short head of
the biceps
• I: lateral side of the head of the fibula femoris
• N:
• Long head: Tibial Nerve
• Short Head: Common Peroneal Nerve
• A:
• Extend the thigh at the hip joint
• Laterally rotates the leg
Semimembranosus
• O: ischial tuberosity
• I: posterior aspect of the medial tibial condyle
• N: Tibial Nerve
• A:
• Extend the thigh at the hip joint
• Laterally rotates the leg
Semimembranosus
Semitendinosus
• O: ischial tuberosity
• I: superior aspect of the medial surface of Semitendinosus
the tibia
• N: Tibial Nerve
• A:
• Extend the thigh at the hip joint
• Laterally rotates the leg
 BF SH
Biceps femoris (LH)
Semitendinosus
Semitendinosus
Semimembranosus
Semimembranosus
Semimembranosus
Muscles of the Medial Compartment of the Thigh

Gracillis
Adductor Longus
Adductor Brevis
Adductor Magnus
Pectineus
Obturator Externus
Gracillis
• O: inferior ramus of the pubis
• I: superior aspect of the medial surface of
the tibia
• N: Obturator Nerve
• A:
• HIP JOINT: adduct and flex the thigh
• KNEE JOINT: flex and medially rotate the leg
Adductor Magnus
• O:
• Adductor part: inferior ramus of the pubis

Gracillis
• Hamstring part: ischial tuberosity
• I:
• Adductor part: medial lip of linea aspera, medial supracondylar
line
• Hamstring part: adductor tubercle of femur
• N:
• Adductor part: Obturator Nerve
• Hamstring part: Tibial Nerve
• A:
• Adductor part: Adducts and Flex the thigh at the hip joint
• Hamstring part: Extends the thigh at the hip joint
Adductor Brevis
• O: body of the pubis; superior ramus of the pubis
• I: medial lip of linea aspera

Gracillis
A.
Magnus

• N: Obturator Nerve
• A: adducts and contributes to flexion of the thigh at
the hip joint
Adductor Longus
• O: body of the pubis
• I: medial lip of linea aspera

Gracillis
• N: Obturator Nerve

A. Magnus
• A: adducts and contributes to flexion of the
thigh at the hip joint
Pectineus
• O: superior ramus of the pubis

Gracillis
• I: pectineal line
• N: Femoral Nerve

A. Magnus
• A: adduct, flex and medially rotates the thigh at
the hip joint
Obturator Externus
• O: margins of obturator foramen Obturator Externus
• I: trochanteric crest
• N: Obturator Nerve
• A: Laterally rotates the thigh at
the hip joint
Gracillis
Gracillis
Gracillis
A.Magnus
A. Magnus
Muscles of the Leg
Muscles of the Anterior Compartment of the
Leg
• The anterior compartment of the leg contains extensor muscles that
dorsiflexes the ankle joint
• Peroneus Tertius
• Extensor Hallucis Longus
• Extensor Digitorum Longus
• Tibialis Anterior
Peroneus Tertius (PT)
• O: inferior aspect of anterior surface of fibula
• I: dorsum of the base of the 5th MTT
• N: deep peroneal nerve
• A: dorsiflexion and eversion of the foot

Peroneus Tertius
Extensor Hallucis Longus
• O: middle part of the anterior surface of the fibula
and interosseous membrane
• I: dorsal aspect of the base of the big toe (hallux)
• N: deep peroneal nerve
• A: extends the big toe and dorsiflexes the foot
Extensor Hallucis Longus

PT
Extensor Digitorum Longus (EHL)
• O: lateral condyle of tibia, superior aspect of medial
surface of fibula, and interosseous membrane
• I: middle and distal phalanges of 2nd to 5th toes
• N: deep peroneal nerve
EHL
• A: extends the 2nd to 5th toes and dorsiflexes the
foot
Extensor Digitorum Longus

PT
Tibialis Anterior
• O: lateral condyle of tibia, superior aspect of lateral
surface of tibia and interosseous membrane
• I: middle and inferior surfaces of medial(1st)
cuneiform and base of 1st MTT Tibialis Anterior
• N: deep peroneal nerve
• A: dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot
EDL
EHL

PT
 TA
• Extensor Retinacula are thickenings of
deep fascia that prevents the
‘bowstringing’ of the extensor tendons
EDL of the leg

PT
Superior Extensor Retinaculum
EHL Inferior Extensor Retinaculum
Muscles of the Lateral Compartment of the
Leg
• aka Fibular Compartment or Peroneal Compartment
• smallest of the four compartments of the leg
• it contains two muscles that plantarflex and evert the foot
• Fibularis or Peroneus Longus
• Fibularis or Peroneus Brevis
Peroneus Brevis (PB)
• O: inferior aspect of the lateral surface of the of the
fibula
• I: tuberosity of the 5th MTT
• N: Superficial Fibular Nerve
• A: plantarflexion and eversion of the foot
Peroneus Brevis
Peroneus Longus (PL)
• O: lateral surface of the of the fibula
• I: base of the 1st MTT and medial (1st) cuneiform
• N: Superficial Fibular Nerve
• A: plantarflexion and eversion of the foot
Peroneus Longus

PB
Muscles of the Posterior Compartment of the
Leg
• The posterior compartment of the leg contains flexor muscles that
plantarflexes the foot
• It is further divided into two compartments:
• Deep Posterior Compartment
• Superficial Posterior Compartment
Posterior Compartment of the Leg
DEEP POSTERIOR SUPERFICIAL POSTERIOR
COMPARTMENT COMPARTMENT

• Popliteus • Gastrocnemius
• Flexor Digitorum Longus • Plantaris
• Flexor Hallucis Longus • Soleus
• Tibialis Posterior
Deep Posterior Compartment of the Leg
• Tibialis Posterior
• Flexor Digitorum Longus
• Flexor Hallucis Longus
• Popliteus
Tibialis Posterior (TP)
• O: interosseus membrane, posterior surface of the
tibia and fibula
• I: tuberosity if the navicular, cuneiform, cuboid and
sustentaculum tali; bases of 2nd-4th MTT
• N: Tibial Nerve
• A: plantarflexion and inversion of the foot
Tibialis Posterior
Flexor Digitorum Longus (FDL)
• O: medial part of the posterior surface of the tibia TP
just below the soleal line
• I: base of the 2nd-5th distal phalanges
• N: Tibial Nerve
• A: flexion of the 2nd-5th phalanges and
plantarflexion of the foot

Flexor Digitorum Longus

Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL)
• O: inferior 2/3 of the posterior surface of the TP
fibula; interosseous membrane
• I: base of the distal phalanx of the big toe (hallux)
• N: Tibial Nerve FDL

• A: flexion of the big toe and plantarflexion of the

foot
Flexor Hallucis Longus
Popliteus Popliteus

• O: lateral condyle of the femur, lateral meniscus

• I: posterior surface of the tibia, above the soleal TP
line
• N: Tibial Nerve FDL

• A: flexion of the knee, medial rotation of the leg

FHL
Superficial Posterior Compartment of the Leg
• Gastrocnemius
Triceps Surae
• Soleus
• Plantaris
Soleus
Popliteus

• O: posterior surface of the head and neck of the

fibula; soleal line
• I: posterior surface of the calcaneus via the
calcaneal tendon Soleus
• N: Tibial Nerve
• A: plantarflexes the foot in a flexed or extended
knee
Calcaneal
FDL
Tendon
FHL (Achilles
Tendon)
Plantaris Plantaris

Popliteus

• O: lateral supracondylar ridge of the femur

• I: posterior surface of the calcaneus via the
calcaneal tendon
• N: Tibial Nerve Soleus

• A: assist the gastrocs in plantarflexion of the foot

FDL Calcaneal
FHL Tendon
(Achilles
Tendon)
 Plantaris

Gastrocnemius Medial Head Popliteus

of the
Gastrocs
• O: Lateral Head
of the
• Lateral Head: lateral condyle of the femur Gastrocs
• Medial Head: popliteal surface of the femur;
above the medial condyle of the femur
• I: posterior surface of the calcaneus via
the calcaneal tendon Soleus

• N: Tibial Nerve
• A: plantarflexion of the foot when knee is
extended; flexion of the leg FDL Calcaneal
FHL Tendon
(Achilles
Tendon)
Muscles of the Foot
 Heel

Great
Toe Little Toe
(Hallux)
Ball of the
Foot

Dorsal Surface Plantar Surface (Sole)

• Three anatomical and functional METATARSUS TARSUS
PHALANGES
zones:
distal mid

5
Proximal

distal mid

4
Proximal

1. Hindfoot –talus and calcaneus distal mid Proximal CUBOID

3
CALCANEUS

2. Midfoot – navicular, cuboid, 3 distal mid Proximal

2
TALUS
cuneiforms Middle

1
Proximal

3. Forefoot – MTTs and phalanges

Hindfoot
Midfoot
Forefoot
Arches of the Foot
• The foot has three arches: MEDIAL LATERAL
LONGITUDINAL LONGITUDINAL
• two longitudinal arch ARCH
ARCH
• medial longitudinal
• lateral longitudinal
• one transverse arch
TRANSVERSE
ARCH
• Functions:
• acts as a spring, bearing the weight of the body
• absorbing the shock produced during locomotion
 MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL ARCH
Composed of: LATERAL LONGITUDINAL ARCH
- Calcaneus Composed of:
- Talus (keystone) - Calcaneus
- Navicular
- Cuboid (keystone)
- Medial(1st) cuneiform
- 1st MTT - 5th MTT

**longest and the highest arch

keystone TRANSVERSE ARCH

Composed of:
- bases of all the MTTs
- Cuboi
- 1st Cuneiform
- 2nd Cuneiform (keystone)
- 3rd Cuneiform
Fibrous tissues that bowstring the
longitudinal arches

1. Plantar Calcaneonavicular
Ligament
aka Spring Ligament
Fibrous tissues that bowstring the
longitudinal arches

2. Plantar Calcaneocuboid
Ligament
aka Short Plantar Ligament
Fibrous tissues that bowstring the
longitudinal arches

3. Long Plantar Ligament

Fibrous tissues that bowstring the
longitudinal arches

4. Plantar Aponeurosis
The Dorsal Surface of the Foot
• The tendons on the muscles of the anterior
compartment of the leg are situated on the dorsal
aspect of the foot tendon tendon
• Tendon of the Tibialis Anterior of PT of TA
• Tendon of the Extensor Digitorum Longus
• Tendon of the Extensor Hallucis Longus
• Tendon of the Peroneus Tertius tendon
of EHL
tendon
of EDL
• Intrinsic muscles of the dorsum of the foot
• Extensor Digitorum Brevis
• Extensor Hallucis Brevis
Extensor Digitorum Brevis
• O: calcaneus
• I: 2nd-4th proximal phalanges
• N: Deep Fibular Nerve
• A: assists in extension of the 2nd-4th toes
Extensor Hallucis Brevis
• O: Calcaneus
• I: dorsal aspect of base of proximal phalanx of big toe
• N: Deep Fibular Nerve
• A: assists in extension of the big toe
Muscles of the plantar aspect of the foot
• The muscles of the sole are arranged into four
layers
• they function to resist forces that tend to
reduce the longitudinal arch as weight is
received at the heel
Plantar Surface of the Foot
• 1st Layer (Most superficial)
• ABDUCTOR DIGITI MINIMI
• FLEXOR DIGITORUM BREVIS
• ABDUCTOR HALLUCIS
• 3rd Layer
• FLEXOR HALLUCIS BREVIS
• ADDUCTOR HALLUCIS
• FLEXOR DIGITI MINIMI BREVIS

• 2ndLayer • 4th Layer (Deepest)

• LUMBRICALS • PLANTAR INTEROSSEI
• QUADRATUS PLANTAE • DORSAL INTEROSSEI
** Tendon of Flexor hallucis longus
** Tendon of Flexor digitorum longus
4 th Layer: Dorsal Interossei
• has four muscles
• O: sides of shafts of 1st to 5th MTT
• I:
• 1st: medial side of proximal phalanx of 2nd digit
• 2nd-4th: lateral sides of 2nd to 4th digits
S

• N: Lateral Plantar Nerve H

A
F

• A: abduction of 2nd to 4th digits T

P
R
O
X
4 th Layer: Plantar Interossei
• has three muscles
• O: plantar aspect of medial sides of shafts of 3rd to
5th MTT
• I: medial side of bases of proximal phalanges of 3rd
to 5th digits
• N: Lateral Plantar Nerve
• A: adduction of 3rd to 5th digits
3 rd Layer: Flexor Digiti Minimi Brevis
• O: base of 5th MTT
• I: base of proximal phalanx of 5th digit
• N: Lateral Plantar Nerve
• A: flexion of 5th digit
3 rd Layer: Adductor Hallucis
• O:
• Oblique head: base of 2nd-4th MTT, cuboid, 3rd cuneiform
• Transverse Head: plantar ligaments of MTT jts
• I: lateral side of base of proximal phalanx of big toe
• N: Lateral Plantar Nerve
• A: adduct the big toe
3 rd Layer: Flexor Hallucis Brevis
• O: Cuboid, 2nd and 3rd cuneiform
• I: both sides of base of proximal phalanx of big toe
• N: Medial Plantar Nerve
• A: flexion of proximal phalanx of the big toe
2 nd Layer: Quadratus Plantae
• O: Calcaneus
• I: tendon of Flexor Digitorum Profundus
• N: Lateral Plantar Nerve
• A: assist in flexion of the 2nd to 5th digits

tendon of
Flexor Hallucis
Longus

tendon of
Flexor Digitorum
Longus
2 nd Layer: Lumbricals
• O: tendon of Flexor Digitorum Profundus
• I: medial side of expansion over the 2nd-5th digits
• N:
• 2nd Lumbrical: Medial Plantar Nerve
• 3rd-5th Lumbricals: Lateral Plantar Nerve
• A: (2nd-5th digits) tendon of
• Flex the proximal phalanx Flexor Hallucis
Longus
• Extend the middle and distal phalanx

tendon of
Flexor Digitorum
Longus
1 st Layer: Abductor Digiti Minimi
• O: Calcaneus
• I: lateral side of base of proximal phalanx of 5th digit
• N: Lateral Plantar Nerve
• A: aBduction and flexion of 5th digit
1 st Layer: Abductor Digiti Minimi
• O: Calcaneus
• I: medial side of base of the proximal phalanx of the 1st digit
• N: Medial Plantar Nerve
• A: abduction and flexion of the big toe
1 st Layer: Flexor Digitorum Brevis
• O: Calcaneus
• I: both side of the middle phalanx of 2nd to 5th digits
• N: Medial Plantar Nerve
• A: flexion of 2nd to 5th digits
END