Muscle Superior Attachment Inferior Attachment Innervation Main Action

Psoas major Transverse processes of lumbar By a strong tendon to lesser Anterior rami of Acting inferiorly with ilacus, it flexes thigh, acting
vertebrae; sides of bodies of trochanter of femur lumbar nerves L1, L2, superiorly it flexes vertebral column laterally, it is
T12-L5 vertebrae & intervening L3 used to balance the trunk, when sitting it acts
intervertebral discs inferiorly with ilacus to flex trunk strong flexor of
the thigh
Iliacus Superior 2/3 of iliac fossa, ala of Lesser trochanter of femur Femoral nerve (L2- Flexes thigh and stabilizes hip joint, acts with psoas
sacrum, & anterior sacroiliac and shaft inferior to it, & to L4) major, strong flexor of the thigh
ligaments psoas major tendon
Quadratus Medial half of inferior border of Iliolumbar ligament & Anterior branches of Extends and laterally flexes vertebral column, fixes
lumborum 12th ribs & tips of lumbar internal lip of iliac crest T12 and L1-L4 nerves 12th rib during inspiration
transverse processes
Muscle Origin Insertion Innervation Main action
th th
External External surfaces of 5 -12 ribs Linea alba, iliac crest, and Thoraco-abdominal
Oblique pubis nerves (T7-T11) &
subcostal nerve
Compresses and supports abdominal viscera and
Internal Thoracolumbar fascia, anterior Inferior borders of 10th-12th
flexes and rotates the trunk
Oblique 2/3 of iliac crest, and connective ribs, linea alba, & pecten
tissues deep to lateral inguinal pubis via conjoint tendon Thoraco-abdominal
ligament nerves (anterior rami
Transverse Internal surfaces of 7th to 12th Linea alba with aponeurosis of T6-T12) & first Compresses and supports abdominal viscera
Abdominis costal cartilages, thoracolumbar of internal oblique, pubic lumbar nerve
fascia, iliac crest, & CT deep to crest, and pecten pubis via
lateral inguinal ligament conjoint tendon
Rectus Pubic symphysis & pubic crest Xiphoid process and 5th -7th Thoraco-abdominal Flexes trunk (lumbar vertebrae) & compresses
Abdominis costal cartilages nerves (anterior rami abdominal viscera; stabilizes & controls tilt of pelvis
of T6-T12) (antilordosis)
Posterior Abdominal Wall Muscles

Anterolateral Abdominal Wall Muscles

 Boundary Muscle Proximal Attachment Distal Attachment Innervation Main Action
Lateral Wall Obturator internus Pelvic surfaces of the Greater trochanter Nerve to obturator Rotates the thigh laterally; assists in
ilium and ischium; of the femur internus (L5-S2) holding the head of the femur in
obturator membrane acetabulum
Posterosuperio Piriformis Pelvic surface of S2- Greater trochanter Anterior rami of S1- Rotates the thigh laterally, abducts the
r wall S4 segments; of the femur S2 thigh, assists in holding the head of the
superior margin of femur in acetabulum
greater sciatic notch
and sacrotuberous
ligament
Floor Coccygeus Ischial spine Inferior end of the Branches of S4-S5 Forms small part of pelvic diaphragm that
 ischiococcygeus sacrum & coccyx spinal nerves supports pelvic viscera flexes coccyx

Levator Ani Body of pubis; Perineal body; Nerve to levator ani Forms most of pelvic diaphragm that
 puborectalis tendinous arch of coccyx; anococcygeal (branch S4), inferior helps support pelvic viscera & resists
 pubococcygeus obturator fascia; ligament; walls of anal (rectal) nerve, increases in intra-abdominal pressure
 iliococcygeus ischial spine the prostate or and coccygeal
 puboprostaticus/ vagina, rectum, & plexus
pubovaginalis anal canal
Muscles of pelvic walls and floor

Muscles Proximal attachment Distal attachment Innervation Main Action

Adductor longus Body of pubis inferior to pubic Middle 1/3 of linea aspera of Adducts thigh
crest femur Obturator nerve and branch of
Adductor brevis Body & inferior ramus of pubis Pectineal line & proximal part anterior divisions (L2, L3, L4) Adducts thigh; to some
of linea aspera of femur extent flexes it
Adductor magnus Adductor part: inferior ramus Adductor part: gluteal Adductor part: obturator Adducts thigh
of pubis & ramus of ischium tuberosity, linea aspera, & nerve (L2, L3, L4) & branches
medial supracondylar line of posterior division Adductor part: flexes thigh

Hamstring part: ischial Hamstring part: adductor Hamstring portion: tibial part Hamstring part: extends
tuberosity tubercle of femur of sciatic nerve (L4) thigh
Gracillis Body & inferior ramus of pubis Superior part of medial surface Obturator nerve (L2, L3) Adducts thigh, flexes leg,
of tibia helps rotate leg medially
Obturator externus Margins of obturator foramen Trochanteric fossa of femur Obturator (L3, L4) Laterally rotates thigh,
& obturator membrane steadies head of femur in
acetabulum
Muscles of Medial thigh: adductors of thigh
 Muscle Proximal attachment Distal attachments Innervation Main Actions
Pectineus Superior ramus of pubis Pectineal line of femur, just Femoral nerve (L2, L3) Adducts and flexes thigh;
inferior to lesser trochanter may receive a branch assists with medial rotation of
from obturator nerve thigh
Iliopsas
 Psoas major Sides of T2-L5 vertebrae & discs Lesser trochanter of femur Anterior rami of lumbar
between them; transverse processes nerves (L1, L2, L3)
of all lumbar vertebrae
Psoas minor Sides of T12-L1 vertebrae & IV discs Pectineal line and iliopubic Anterior rami of lumbar Act conjointly in flexing thigh
eminence via iliopectineal nerves (L1,L2) at hip joint & in stabilizing this
arch joint
Iliacus Iliac crest, iliac fossa, ala of sacrum, Tendon of psoas major, lesser Femoral nerve (L2, L3)
and anterior sacro-iliac ligaments trochanter, & femur distal to
it
Sartorius Anterior superior iliac spine & Superior part of medial Femoral nerve (L2, L3) Flexes, abducts, & laterally
superior part of notch inferior to it surface of tibia rotates thigh at hip joint;
flexes leg at knee joint
(medially rotating leg when
knee is flexed)
Quadriceps femoris
Rectus femoris Anterior inferior iliac spine and ilium Via common tendinous
superior to acetabulum (quadriceps tendon) &
Vastus lateralis Greater trochanter & lateral lip of independent attachments to
linea aspera of femur base of patella; indirectly via Extend leg at knee joint;
Vastus medialis Intertrochanteric line & medial lip of patellar ligament to tibial Femoral Nerve (L2, L3, rectus femoris also steadies
linea aspera of femur tuberosity; medial and lateral L4) hip joint and helps iliopsoas
Vastus intermedius Anterior & lateral surfaces of shaft vasti also attach to tibia & flex thigh
of femur patella via aponeuroses
(medial and lateral patellar
retinacula)
Muscles of Anterior Thigh: Flexors of Hip Joint

Muscles of Anterior thigh: extensors of knee

 Muscles Proximal attachment Distal Attachment Innervation Main Action
Gluteus maximus Ilium posterior to posterior Most fibers end in iliotibial Inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1- Extends thigh (esp. from
gluteal line; dorsal surface of tract, which inserts into S2) flexed position) & assists in its
sacrum & coccyx; lateral condyle of tibia; some lateral rotation; steadies thigh
sacrotuberous ligament fibers insert on gluteal and assists in rising from
tuberosity sitting position
Gluteus medius External surface of ilium Lateral surface of greater
between anterior & posterior trochanter femur Abduct & medially rotate
gluteal lines thigh, keep pelvis level when
Gluteus minimus External surface of ilium Anterior surface of greater ipsilateral limb is weight
Superior gluteal nerve (L5, S1)
between anterior and inferior trochanter of femur bearing & advance opposite
gluteal lines (unsupported) side during its
Tensor fasciae latae Anterior superior iliac spine; Iliotibial tract, which attaches swing phase
anterior part of iliac crest to lateral condyle of tibia
Piriformis Anterior surface of sacrum; Superior border of greater Branches of anterior rami of
sacrotuberous ligament trochanter of femur S1 & S2
Obturator internus Pelvic surface of obturator Nerve to obturator internus
Laterally rotate extended
membrane & surrounding (L5, S1)
thigh and abduct flexed thigh;
bones Medial surface of greater
steady femoral head in
Superior and inferior gemelli Superior: ischial spine trochanter(trochanteric fossa) Superior gemellus: nerve to
acetabulum
Inferior: ischial tuberosity of femur obturator internus (L5, S1)
Inferior gemellus: nerve to
quadratus femoris (L5, S1)
Quadratus femoris Lateral border of ischial Quadrate tubercle on Nerve to quadratus femoris Laterally rotates thigh,
tuberosity intertrochanteric crest of (L5, S1) steadies femoral head in
femur and area inferior to it acetabulum
Semitendinosus Medial surface of superior
part of tibia Extend thigh, flex leg & rotate
Semimembranosus Posterior part of medial it medially when knee flexed.
Tibial division of sciatic nerve
Ischial tuberosity condyle of tibia. Reflected When thigh & leg are flexed,
part of tibia (L5, S1, S2)
attachment forms oblique these muscles can extend
popliteal ligament (to lateral trunk
femoral condyle
Biceps femoris Long head: ischial tuberosity Laterial side of head of fibula. Long head: tibial division of Flexes leg & rotates it laterally
Short head: linea aspera & Tendon is split at this site by sciatic nerve (L5, S1, S2) when knee is flexed; extends
lateral supracondylar line of fibular collateral ligament of Short head: common fibular thigh (accelerating mass
femur knee division of sciatic nerve (L5, during first step of gait)
S1, S2)
Muscles of Gluteal region: abductors & rotators of thigh

Muscles of Posterior thigh: extensors of hip & flexors of knee

 Muscle Proximal Attachment Distal Attachment Innervation Main Action
Anterior compartment
Tibialis anterior Lateral condyle & superior Medial & inferior surfaces of Dorsiflexes ankle & inverts
half of lateral surface of tibia medial cuneiform and base of foot
& interosseous membrane 1st metatarsal
Extensor digitorum longus Lateral condyle of tibia & Middle and distal phalanges Extends lateral 4 digits &
superior ¾ of medial surface of lateral four digits dorsiflexes ankle
of fibula & interosseous
membrane Deep Fibular nerve (L4, L5)
Extensor hallicus longus Middle part of anterior Dorsal aspect of base of distal Extends great toe &
surface of fibula & phalanx of great toe (hallux) dorsiflexes ankle
interosseous membrane
Fibularis tertius Inferior 1/3 of anterior Dorsum of base of 5th Dorsiflexes ankle & aids in
surface of fibula & metatarsal eversion of foot
interosseous membrane
Lateral compartment
Fibularis longus Head & superior 2/3 of lateral Base of 1st metatarsal &
surface of fibula medial cuneiform
Superficial fibular nerve (L5, Everts foot and weakly
Fibularis brevis Inferior 2/3 of lateral surface Dorsal surface of tuberosity
S1, S2) plantarflexes ankle
of fibula on lateral side of base of 5th
metatarsal
Muscles of anterior compartment of leg

Muscles of lateral compartments of leg

 Muscles Proximal Attachment Distal Attachment Innervation Main Action
Gastrocnemius Lateral head: lateral aspect of lateral Plantarflexes ankle when knee is
condyle of femur extended; raises heel during walking;
flexes leg at knee joint
Medial head: popliteal surface of
femur; superior to medial condyle
Soleus Posterior aspect of head and superior Plantarflexes ankle independent of
Posterior surface of calcaneus via Tibial nerve (S1,
¼ of posterior surface of fibula; soleal position of knee; steadies leg on foot
calcaneal tendon S2)
line and middle 1/3 of medial border
of tibia; tendinous arch extending
between the bony attachments
Plantaris Inferior end of lateral supracondylar Weakly assists gastrocnemius in
line of femur; oblique popliteal plantarflexing ankle
ligament
Popliteus Lateral surface of lateral condyle of Posterior surface of tibia & Tibial nerve (L4, Weakly flexes knee & unlocks it by
femur & lateral meniscus superior to soleal line L5, S1) rotating femur 5 degrees on fixed
tibia; medially rotates tibia of
unplanted limb
Flexor hallucis longus Inferior 2/3 of posterior surface of Base of distal phalanx of great toe Flexes great toe at all joints; weakly
fibula; inferior part of interosseous (hallux) plantarflexes ankle; supports medial
membrane Tibial nerve (S2, longitudinal arch of foot
Flexor digitorum Medial part of posterior surface of Bases of distal phalanges of lateral S3) Flexes lateral 4 digits; plantarflexes
longus tibia inferior to soleal line; by a broad 4 digits ankle; supports longitudinal arches of
tendon to fibula foot
Tibialis posterior Interosseous membrane; posterior Tuberosity of navicular, cuneiform, Tibial nerve (L4, Plantarflexes ankle, inverts foot
surface of tibia inferior to soleal line; cuboid, & sustentaculum tali of L5)
posterior surface of fibula calcaneus; bases of 2-4 metatarsals
Superficial Muscles of Posterior compartment of leg

Deep muscles of posterior compartment of leg

 Muscle Innervation Main Action
1st layer

Abductor hallucis Abducts & flexes 1st digit (great toe, hallux)
Medial plantar nerve (S2, S3)
Flexor digitorum brevis Flexes lateral 4 digits

Abductor digiti minimi Abducts & flexes little toe (5th digit)
Lateral plantar nerve (S2, S3)
2nd later

Quadratus plantae Assists flexor digitorum longus in flexing lateral 4 digits

Lateral plantar nerve (S2, S3)
Lumbricals Medial one: medial plantar nerve (S2, S3) Flex proximal phalanges; extend middle & distal phalanges
of lateral 4 digits
Lateral three: lateral plantar nerve (S2, S3)
3rd layer

Flexor hallucis brevis Medial plantar nerve (S2, S3) Flexes proximal phalanx of 1st digit

Adductor hallucis Deep branch of lateral plantar nerve (S2, S3) Adduct 1st digit; assists in transverse arch of foot by
metatarsals medially
Flexor digit minimi brevis Superficial branch of lateral plantar nerve (S2, S3) Flexes proximal phalanx of 5th digit, thereby assisting with its
flexion
4th layer

Plantar interossei Adduct digits 3-5 and flex metatarsophalangeal joints

Lateral plantar nerve (S2, S3)
Dorsal interossei Abduct digits 2-4 and flex metatarsophalangeal joints

Muscles of Sole of Foot

Muscle Innervation Main Action

Extensor digitorum brevis Aids the extensor digitorum longus in extending the
4 medial toes at the metatarsophalangeal and
Deep fibular nerve (L5 or S1 or both) interphalangeal joints
Extensor hallucis brevis Aids the extensor hallucis longus in extending the
great toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint
Muscles of Dorsum of Foot
Boundaries of the Inguinal Canal

Boundary Lateral Third/Deep Ring Middle Third Medial Third/Superficial Ring

Posterior Wall Transversalis fascia Transversalis fascia Inguinal falx (conjoint tendon) plus
inguinal ligament
Anterior Wall Internal oblique plus lateral crus of Aponeurosis of external oblique Aponeurosis of external oblique with
aponeurosis of external oblique (lateral crus) fascia of external oblique continuing
onto cool as external spermatic fascia
Roof Transversalis fascia Musculo-aponeurotic arches of Medial crus of aponeurosis of external
internal oblique & transverse oblique
abdominal
Floor Iliopubic tract Inguinal ligament Lacunar ligament