Muscles of thigh and
gluteal region
Dr Parimala Sirikonda
MUSCLES OF ANTERIOR COMPARTMENT OF
THIGH
The muscles of the anterior compartment of thigh
include the following muscles (Fig. 6.12, 6.13):
The muscles of the anterior compartment of thigh
include the following muscles (Fig. 6.12, 6.13):
1. Rectus femoris
2. Vastus lateralis
3. Vastus medialis Quadriceps femoris
4. Vastus intermidius
5. Articularis genu
6. Sartorius
7. Tensor fasciae latae
Quadriceps femoris
The four muscles of the thigh (rectus femoris and three vasti) form a
group of muscles that act as extensor of knee and inserts on the tibial
tuberosity through patellar ligament. This group of muscle is called
quadriceps femoris (four-headed muscle in Latin).
Patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body. It develops in the
tendon of quadriceps femoris.
Nerve supply
All the quadriceps femoris muscles are supplied by femoral nerve.
Actions
Extension at knee joint.
Helps for rising from sitting or squatting position by extending the knee.
Articularis genu (subcrureus)
Articularis genu is a small muscle that consists of three–four slips. It lies
deep to vastus intermedius and considered as detached part of the vastus
intermedius.
Origin
It originates from the lower part of the anterior surface of the femur.
Insertion
It inserts on the upper part of synovial membrane of the knee joint.
Innervation
It is supplied by a small branch of nerve to vastus medialis through
posterior division of femoral nerve.
Action
It prevents the damage to synovial membrane knee joint by pulling the
synovial membrane upward during extension of knee.
MUSCLES OF ADDUCTOR
COMPARTMENT
Arranged in three layers as follows:
1. Anterior layer
Pectineus
Gracilis
Adductor longus
2. Middle layer
Adductor brevis
3. Posterior layer
Adductor magnus
MUSCLES OF GLUTEAL REGION
There are ten muscles in the gluteal region.
These muscles are arranged into two layers as follows (Table 10.1):
Superficial layer
It includes gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor
fascia latae.These are mainly rotators of thigh.
Deep layer
In consists of pyriformis, superior gemellus, inferior gamellus, obturator
internus, quadratus femoris, and obturator externus.
These muscles are covered by gluteus maximus muscle posteriorly.
They are lateral rotators of the femur and stabilize the hip joint.
The attachment nerve supply and actions of the muscles of gluteal region
are given in Table 10.1 and 10.2.
Table 10.1: Muscles of gluteal region
Q. Write a short on piriformis muscle.
Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve supply Actions
Gluteus medius Gluteal surface of Oblique ridge on the Superior gluteal Abduction of hip
(Fig. 10.10) ileum between lateral surface of nerve joint
anterior and greater trochanter
Fan-shaped muscle Anterior fibers
posterior gluteal
produce medial
lines
rotation of thigh
Prevents sagging of
pelvis on
unsupported side
(when foot is off the
ground).
Gluteus mimimus Gluteal surface of Anterolateral ridge Superior gluteal Same as gluteus
(Fig. 10.10) ileum between on the greater nerve medius
anterior and trochanter
Fan-shaped muscle
inferior gluteal
Covered by gluteus lines
medius
Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve supply Actions
Pyriformis (Fig. Arises within the Apex of greater Ventral rami of Lateral rotation of
10.11) pelvis trochanter S1, S2 spinal thigh
nerves
Pear-shaped muscle Anterior surface of
middle three pieces
Key-muscle of the
of sacrum by three
region
digitations
Has rounded tendon
Upper margin of
greater sciatic
notch
Gamellus superior Dorsal surface of Medial surfaces of Nerve to Lateral rotation of
(Fig. 10.11) ischial spine greater trochanter obturator thigh
internus
Lies along upper
border of tendon of
obturator internus
Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve supply Actions
Obturator internus Pelvic surface of Medial surface of Nerve to Lateral rotation of
(Fig. 10.11) obturator greater trochanter obturator thigh
membrane and internus
Fan-shaped muscle
adjoining bones
Arises within the surrounding
pelvis obturator foramen
Tendon leaves pelvis
through lesser sciatic
notch
Gamellus inferior Upper part of lesser Medial surface of Nerve to Lateral rotation of
(Fig. 10.11) sciatic notch greater trochanter quadrates thigh
Small muscle femoris
Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve supply Actions
Quadratus femoris Lateral border of Quadrate tubercle on Nerve to Lateral rotator of
(Fig. 10.11) ischial tuberosity the intertrochanteric quadrates thigh
crest and area below femoris
Quadrilateral
it
muscle
Obturator externus Outer surface of Trochanteric fossa Posterior Lateral rotator of
(Fig. 10.12)Flat, obturator on the medial side of division of thigh
triangular muscle membrane greater trochanter obturator nerve
Margins of
obturator foramen
Tensor fascia latae Anterior 5 cm of Iliotibial tract Superior gluteal Abductor and
(Fig. 10.8, 10.9) outer lip of iliac nerve medial rotator of
Fusiform muscle crest thigh and extension
of knee joint
MUSCLES OF BACK
OF THIGH
The posterior compartment of thigh
contains semitendinosus,
semimembranosus, biceps femoris,
and ischial head of adductor magnus
muscle (Fig. 11.1).
Hamstring muscles
The muscles of the back of thigh are called hamstring muscles (ham = back of thigh in Latin).
The hamstring group of muscles includes
1. Semitendinosus
2. Semimembranosus
3. Long head of biceps femoris
4. Ischial head of adductor magnus.
Some interesting facts
Short head of biceps femoris, as it originates from femur, does not constitute hamstring group of
muscles.
Only part of adductor magnus that originates from ischial tuberosity is a part of hamstring muscles.
Hamstring is the method used to decapacitate the victim or animal by cutting the hamstring tendons.
Properties of hamstring muscles
1. Originate from ischial tuberosity
2. Inserted on tibia or fibula
3. Supplied by tibial part of sciatic nerve
4. Flexes the knee joint
5. Extends the hip joint
Adductor magnus
Ischial head of adductor magnus
Origin: From inferolateral part ischial tuberosity. Note: Adductor part
originates from conjoint ramus.
Insertion: At adductor tubercle of femur. Note: Adductor part inserts
on medial margin of gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera, and medial
supracondylar ridge.
Innervation: Tibial part of sciatic nerve. Note: Adductor part is
supplied by posterior division of obturator nerve.
Actions:
Flexion of knee through tibial collateral ligament which is
morphologically degenerated tendon of adductor magnus.
Extension of hip.
Note: Adductor part causes adduction of thigh.
Some interesting facts
Actions of hamstring muscles
Hamstring muscles perform the following actions:
- Chief flexion of knee joints
- Weak extension of hip joint
- Hamstrings oppose the hip flexion when toes touch on the ground
and knee is extended.
Thank You
