Table of muscles of the human body: Lower limb

Contents 1 Legend 2 Iliac region 3 Gluteal 4 Thigh 4.1 anterior compartment 4.2 posterior compartment/hamstring 4.3 medial compartment 5 Leg 5.1 anterior compartment 5.2 posterior compartment 5.2.1 Superficial 5.2.2 Deep 5.3 lateral compartment 6 Foot 6.1 Dorsal 6.2 Plantar 6.2.1 1st layer 6.2.2 2nd layer 6.2.3 3rd layer 6.2.4 4th layer 7 References

This article lists the muscles found in the lower limbs.

Muscles of the human body: Overview
Head  |  Neck  |  Torso  |  Upper limbs  |  Lower limbs

Legend

The following tables of muscles have seven columns:

• Muscle, simply the name of the muscle
• Origin, the fixed attachment point of one end of the muscle that does not move during a muscle contraction (usually a bone)
• Insertion, the opposite attachment point, which does move when the muscle contracts (usually a bone)
• Artery, the main vessel that feeds blood to the muscle
• Innervation, the main nerve that supplies motor control to the muscle
• Action, the visible result of the muscle contraction/relaxation (see biomechanics and human kinetics for more)
• Antagonist, a muscle with the equal but opposite action

Often, a muscle is divided into other muscles; for example, the quadriceps femoris muscle is further subdivided into the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius and vastus medialis. In these cases, the name of the muscle group is italicized and the component muscles are indented. An example appears to the right.

For more information on many of the terms used within these tables, see anatomical terms of location, anatomical terms of motion, medical terminology, list of human anatomical features and outline of human anatomy.

Iliac region

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
iliopsoas	iliac fossa (iliacus), sacrum (iliacus), spine (T12, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5) & intervertebral discs (psoas major, psoas minor) [1]	femur—lesser trochanter (psoas major/minor), shaft below lesser trochanter (iliacus), tendon of psoas major & femur (iliacus) [1]	medial femoral circumflex artery, iliolumbar artery	femoral nerve, Lumbar nerves L1, L2	flexion of hip (psoas major/minor, iliacus), spine rotation (psoas major/minor)	Gluteus maximus, posterior compartment of thigh
psoas major	transverse processes, bodies and discs of T12-L5	in the lesser trochanter of the femur	Iliolumbar artery	Lumbar plexus via anterior branches of L1, L2, L3[2]	flexes and rotates laterally thigh	Gluteus maximus
psoas minor	Side of T12+L1 and IV Disc between	Pectineal line and iliopectineal eminence		L1	Weak trunk flexor	Gluteus maximus
iliacus	iliac fossa	lesser trochanter of femur	medial femoral circumflex artery, Iliolumbar artery	femoral nerve (L2, L3[2])	flexes hip[3]	Gluteus maximus

Gluteal

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
tensor fascia latae	iliac crest	iliotibial tract	primarily lateral circumflex femoral artery, Superior gluteal artery	Superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5)	Thigh - flexion, medial rotation. Trunk stabilization.
Gluteal muscles
gluteus maximus muscle	Gluteal surface of ilium, lumbar fascia, sacrum, sacrotuberous ligament	Gluteal tuberosity of the femur, iliotibial tract	superior and inferior gluteal arteries	inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1, S2 nerve roots)	external rotation and extension of the hip joint, supports the extended knee through the iliotibial tract, chief antigravity muscle in sitting	Iliacus, Psoas major, Psoas minor
gluteus medius muscle	Gluteal surface of ilium, under gluteus maximus	Greater trochanter of the femur	superior gluteal artery	superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1 nerve roots)	abduction of the hip; preventing adduction of the hip. Medial rotation of thigh.	lateral rotator group
minimus	Gluteal surface of ilium, under gluteus medius.	Greater trochanter of the femur	superior gluteal artery	superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1 nerve roots)	Works in concert with gluteus medius: abduction of the hip; preventing adduction of the hip. Medial rotation of thigh.	lateral rotator group
lateral rotator group	at or below the acetabulum of the ilium	on or near the greater trochanter of the femur	Inferior gluteal artery, Lateral sacral artery, Superior gluteal artery	Obturator nerve, nerve to the Piriformis, nerve to quadratus femoris	lateral rotation of hip	Gluteus minimus muscle, Gluteus medius muscle
piriformis	sacrum	greater trochanter	Inferior gluteal artery , Lateral sacral artery, Superior gluteal artery	nerve to the Piriformis (S1 and S2 nerve roots) [4]	laterally rotate (outward) the thigh
obturator externus	obturator foramen and obturatory membrane	medial aspect of greater trochanter of femur	obturator artery	posterior branch of obturator nerve (L3, L4)	adduct thigh, rotate laterally thigh
obturator internus	Ischiopubic ramus & obturator membrane	medial aspect of the Greater trochanter		Nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1, S2)	Abducts & rotates laterally thigh, and stabiliser of the hip during walking
inferior gemellus	Ischial tuberosity	Obturator internus tendon		Nerve to Quadratus femoris (L4, L5, S1)	Rotates laterally thigh
superior gemellus	spine of the ischium	Obturator internus tendon		Sacral plexus (S1, S2, S3)	Rotates laterally thigh
quadratus femoris	ischial tuberosity	intertrochanteric crest	inferior gluteal artery	nerve to quadratus femoris (L4, L5, -S1)	lateral rotation of thigh

Thigh

anterior compartment

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
articularis genu	femur	suprapatellar bursa	femoral artery	femoral nerve	Pulling the suprapatellar bursa during extension of the knee.
sartorius	superior to the anterior superior iliac spine	medial side of the upper tibia in the pes anserinus	femoral artery	femoral nerve	flexion, lateral rotation and abduction of thigh; flexion and medial rotation of leg
quadriceps femoris	combined rectus femoris and vastus muscles	Patella and Tibial tuberosity via the Patellar ligament	femoral artery	Femoral nerve	Knee extension; Hip flexion (R.Fem. only)	Hamstring
rectus femoris	anterior inferior iliac spine and the exterior surface of the bony ridge which forms the iliac portion of the acetabulum	Patella and Tibial tuberosity via the Patellar ligament	femoral artery	femoral nerve	knee extension; hip flexion	Hamstring
vastus lateralis	Greater trochanter, Intertrochanteric line, and Linea aspera of the femur	patella and tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament	femoral artery	femoral nerve	Extends and stabilizes knee	hamstring
vastus intermedius	antero/ lateral femur	patella and tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament	femoral artery	femoral nerve	extends knee	Hamstring
vastus medialis	femur	patella and tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament	femoral artery	femoral nerve	extends knee	hamstring

posterior compartment/hamstring

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
biceps femoris	long head: tuberosity of the ischium, short head: linea aspera, femur[5]	the head of the fibula[5] which articulates with the back of the lateral tibial condyle	inferior gluteal artery, perforating arteries, popliteal artery	long head: medial (tibial) part of sciatic nerve, short head: lateral (common fibular) part of sciatic nerve[5]	flexes knee joint, laterally rotates leg at knee (when knee is flexed), extends hip joint (long head only)[5]	Quadriceps muscle
semitendinosus	tuberosity of the ischium[5]	pes anserinus	inferior gluteal artery, perforating arteries	sciatic[5] (tibial, L5, S1, S2)	flexes knee, extends hip joint, medially rotates leg at knee[5]	Quadriceps muscle
semimembranosus	tuberosity of the ischium[5]	Medial surface of tibia[5]	profunda femoris, gluteal artery	sciatic nerve[5]	flexes knee, extends hip joint, medially rotates leg at knee[5]	Quadriceps muscle

medial compartment

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
adductor muscles of the hip	pubis	femur, tibia		obturator nerve	adduction of hip
gracilis	inferior pubic ramus[6]	tibia (pes anserinus)	obturator artery	anterior branch of obturator nerve[6]	adduction of hip, flexion of hip, medial rotation of knee[6]
pectineus	superior pubic ramus[6]	lesser trochanter, linea aspera	Obturator artery	femoral nerve, sometimes obturator nerve[6]	flexion & adduction of hip[6]
adductor brevis	anterior surface of the inferior pubic ramus[6]	the lesser trochanter and linea aspera of the femur	obturator artery	anterior branch of obturator nerve[6]	adduction of hip[6]
adductor longus	pubic body just below the pubic crest	middle third of linea aspera	obturator artery	anterior branch of obturator nerve[6]	adduction & medial rotation of hip[6]
adductor magnus	tuberosity of the ischium[6]	femur and adductor tubercle of femur	obturator artery	posterior branch of obturator nerve (adductor) and tibial part of sciatic nerve[6][7]	adduction of hip[6]

Leg

anterior compartment

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
tibialis anterior	body of tibia	medial cuneiform and first metatarsal bones of the foot	anterior tibial artery	Deep Fibular (peroneal) nerve	dorsiflex and invert the foot	Fibularis longus, Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Plantaris, Tibialis posterior
extensor hallucis longus	middle portion of the fibula on the anterior surface and the interosseous membrane	dorsal side of the base of the distal phalanx of the Hallux	anterior tibial artery	deep peroneal nerve	Extends the big toe and assists in dorsiflexion of the foot at the ankle. Also is a weak invertor	Flexor hallucis longus, Flexor hallucis brevis
extensor digitorum longus	Lateral Condyle of tibia and superior ¾ of interosseous membrane	Middle and Distal phalanges of lateral four digits	anterior tibial artery	deep peroneal nerve	extension of toes and ankle	Flexor digitorum longus, Flexor digitorum brevis
fibularis tertius	distal anterior surface of the fibula	dorsal surface of metatarsal 5	anterior tibial artery	deep fibular nerve	dorsi flexes and everts foot

posterior compartment

Superficial

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
triceps surae		achilles tendon, calcaneus	posterior tibial artery	tibial nerve	plantarflexion
gastrocnemius	femur(medial and lateral condyles)	calcaneus	sural arteries	tibial nerve from the sciatic, specifically, nerve roots S1, S2	plantarflexion, flexion of knee (minor)	Tibialis anterior muscle
soleus	fibula, medial border of tibia (soleal line)	tendo calcaneus	sural arteries	tibial nerve, specifically, nerve roots L5–S2	plantarflexion	tibialis anterior muscle
plantaris	lateral supracondylar ridge of femur above lateral head of gastrocnemius	tendo calcaneus (medial side, deep to gastrocnemius tendon)	sural arteries	tibial nerve	Plantar flexes foot and flexes knee	Tibialis anterior muscle

Deep

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
popliteus	middle facet of the lateral surface of the lateral femoral condyle	posterior tibia under the tibial condyles	popliteal artery	tibial nerve	Medial rotation and flexion of knee
tarsal tunnel
flexor hallucis longus	fibula, posterior aspect of upper 1/3	base of distal phalanx of hallux	Peroneal artery (peroneal branch of the posterior tibial artery	tibial nerve, S1, S2 nerve roots	flexes all joints of the Hallux, plantar flexion of the ankle joint	Extensor hallucis longus muscle
flexor digitorum longus	medial tibia	distal phalanges of lateral four digits	posterior tibial artery	Tibial nerve	Primary action is Flex digits	Extensor digitorum longus, Extensor digitorum brevis
tibialis posterior	tibia, fibula	navicular, medial cuneiform	posterior tibial artery	tibial nerve	inversion of the foot, plantar flexion of the foot at the ankle	Tibialis anterior muscle

lateral compartment

fibularis muscles:

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
longus	fibula	first metatarsal, medial cuneiform	fibular (peroneal) artery	superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve	plantarflexion, eversion	Tibialis anterior muscle
brevis	fibula	fifth metatarsal	fibular (peroneal) artery	superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve	plantarflexion, eversion

Foot

Dorsal

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
extensor digitorum brevis	calcaneus	toes		deep peroneal nerve	extends digits 2, 3, and 4	Flexor digitorum longus, Flexor digitorum brevis
extensor hallucis brevis	calcaneus	base of proximal phalanx of hallux		deep peroneal nerve	Extension of hallux	Flexor hallucis brevis muscle

Plantar

1st layer

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
abductor hallucis	medial process of calcaneus, flexor retinaculum, plantar aponeurosis	medial side of base of proximal phalanx of first digit		medial plantar nerve	abducts hallux	Adductor hallucis muscle
flexor digitorum brevis	medial process of calcaneus, plantar aponeurosis, intermuscular septa	middle phalanges of digits 2-5		medial plantar nerve	flexes lateral four toes	Extensor digitorum longus, Extensor digitorum brevis
abductor digiti minimi	Plantar aponeurosis	Fifth toe or Phalanges	lateral plantar artery	lateral plantar nerve (S1, S2)	flex and abduct the fifth toe	Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle

2nd layer

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
quadratus plantae	Calcaneus	Tendons of Flexor Digitorum Longus		lateral plantar nerve (S1, S2)	Assists Flexor Digitorum Longus in flexion of DIP joints
lumbrical muscle	tendons of flexor digitorum longus	medial aspect of extensor expansion of proximal phalanges of lateral four digits	lateral plantar artery and plantar arch, and four plantar metatarsal arteries	lateral plantar nerve (lateral three lumbricals) and medial plantar nerve (first lumbrical)	maintain extension of digits at interphalangeal joints

3rd layer

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
flexor hallucis brevis				medial plantar nerve	flex hallux	Extensor hallucis longus muscle
adductor hallucis				plantar nerve	adducts hallux	Abductor hallucis muscle
flexor digiti minimi brevis	fifth metatarsal bone	phalanx of the fifth toe		plantar nerve	extend and adduct the fifth toe	Abductor digiti minimi muscle

4th layer

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Artery	Nerve	Action	Antagonist
dorsal interossei				plantar nerve	abduct toes	Plantar interossei muscles
plantar interossei	metatarsals	proximal phalanges		plantar nerve	adduct toes	Dorsal interossei of the foot

References