Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve Function

Psoas major Bodies and Lesser trochanter Ventral rami of Flexes thigh at hip when trunk is fixed;
intervertebral and nearby shaft lumbar spinal flexes trunk at hip when thigh is fixed, as
discs of vertebrae of femur nerve. in bending forward in a chair or sitting
T12–L5, up in bed; balances
transverse trunk during sitting
processes of
lumbar vertebrae
Iliacus Iliac crest and Lesser trochanter Ventral rami of Flexes thigh at hip when trunk is fixed;
fossa, and nearby shaft lumbar spinal flexes trunk at hip when thigh is fixed, as
superolateral of femur nerve. in bending forward in a chair or sitting
region of sacrum, up in bed; balances
anterior sacroiliac trunk during sitting
and iliolumbar
ligaments
Tensor Fasciae Latae Iliac crest, Lateral condyle of Superior Extends knee, laterally rotates tibia, aids
anterior superior tibia via iliotibial gluteal nerve. in abduction and medial rotation of
spine, deep band femur; during standing,
surface of fascia steadies pelvis on femoral head and
lata steadies femoral condyles on tibia
Gluteus Maximus Posterior gluteal Gluteal tuberosity Inferior gluteal Extends thigh at hip as in stair climbing
line of ilium, on of femur; lateral nerve. (rising to next step) or running and
posterolateral condyle of walking (backswing of limb); abducts
surface from iliac tibia via iliotibial thigh; elevates trunk after
crest band stooping; prevents trunk from pitching
to posterior forward during walking and running;
superior spine; helps stabilize femur on tibia
 coccyx; dorsal
surface of lower
sacrum;
aponeurosis of
erector spinae

Gluteus Medius Most of lateral Greater trochanter Superior Abduct and medially rotate thigh; during
surface of ilium of femur gluteal nerve. walking, shift weight of trunk toward
between crest and limb with foot on the ground as other
acetabulum foot is lifted
Gluteus Minimus Most of lateral Greater trochanter Superior Abduct and medially rotate thigh; during
surface of ilium of femur gluteal nerve. walking, shift weight of trunk toward
between crest and limb with foot on the ground as other
acetabulum foot is lifted
Gemellus Superior Ischial spine Greater trochanter Nerve to Laterally rotates extended thigh; abducts
of femur obturator flexed thigh. Sometimes absent.
internus
Gemellus Inferior Ischial tuberosity Greater trochanter Nerve to Laterally rotates extended thigh; abducts
of femur quadratus flexed thigh.
femoris
Obturator Externus External surface Femur between Obturator Not well understood; thought to laterally
of obturator head and greater nerve. rotate thigh in climbing
membrane; pubic trochanter
and ischial rami
Obturator Internus Ramus of ischium; Greater trochanter Nerve to Not well understood; thought to laterally
inferior ramus of of femur obturator rotate extended thigh and abduct flexed
pubis; internus thigh
 anteromedial
surface of
lesser pelvis
Piriformis Anterior surface of Greater trochanter Spinal Laterally rotates extended thigh; abducts
sacrum; gluteal of femur nerve.L5–S2 flexed thigh
surface of ilium;
capsule of
sacroiliac
joint
Quadratus Femoris Ischial tuberosity Intertrochanteric Nerve to Laterally rotates thigh
crest of femur quadratus
femoris
Adductor Brevis Body and inferior Linea aspera and Obturator Adducts thigh
ramus of pubis spiral line of nerve.
femur
Adductor Longus Body and inferior Linea aspera of Obturator Adducts and medially rotates thigh;
ramus of pubis femur nerve. flexes thigh at hip
Adductor Magnus Inferior ramus of Linea aspera, Obturator Adducts and medially rotates thigh;
pubis; ramus and gluteal tuberosity, nerve, tibial extends thigh at hip
tuberosity of and medial nerve.
ischium supracondylar
line of femur
Gracilis Body and inferior Medial surface of Obturator Flexes and medially rotates tibia at knee
ramus of pubis; tibia just below nerve.
ramus of ischium condyle
Quadriceps Rectus Ilium at anterior Patella, tibial Femoral nerve. Extends knee; flexes thigh at hip; flexes
Femoris femoris inferior spine and tuberosity, lateral trunk on hip if thigh is fixed
superior margin of and medial
acetabulum; condyles
capsule of hip of tibia
joint
Vastus Femur at greater Patella, tibial Femoral nerve. Extends knee; retains patella in groove
lateralis trochanter and tuberosity, lateral on femur during knee movements
intertrochanteric and medial
line, gluteal condyles
tuberosity, and of tibia
linea aspera
Vastus Femur at Patella, tibial Femoral nerve. Extends knee; retains patella in groove
medialis intertrochanteric tuberosity, lateral on femur during knee movements
line, spiral line, and medial
linea aspera, and condyles
medial of tibia
supracondylar line
Vastus Anterior and Patella, tibial Femoral nerve. Extends knee
intermediu lateral surfaces of tuberosity, lateral
s femoral shaft and medial
condyles
of tibia
Sartorius On and near Medial surface of Femoral nerve. Aids in knee and hip flexion, as in sitting
anterior superior proximal end of or climbing; abducts and laterally
spine of ilium tibia rotates thigh
Biceps Femoris Long head: ischial Head of fibula Tibial nerve, Flexes knee; extends hip; elevates trunk
 tuberosity common from stooping posture; laterally rotates
Short head: linea fibular nerve. tibia on femur when knee is flexed;
aspera and lateral laterally rotates femur when hip is
supracondylar line extended; counteracts forward bending
of femur at hips
Semitendinosus Ischial tuberosity Medial surface of Tibial nerve. Flexes knee; medially rotates tibia on
upper tibia femur when knee is flexed; medially
rotates femur when hip is extended;
counteracts forward bending at hips
Semimembranosus Ischial tuberosity Medial condyle Tibial nerve. Flexes knee; medially rotates tibia on
and nearby margin femur when knee is flexed; medially
of tibia; rotates femur when hip is extended;
intercondylar line counteracts forward bending at hips
and
lateral condyle of
femur; ligament of
popliteal region