Medical expert of the article
New publications
Muscles of lower limb
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Muscles of the lower limb, as well as the upper, are divided into groups, based on regional affiliation and the function they perform. Distinguish between the muscles of the pelvic girdle and the free part of the lower limb - the thigh, shin and foot. Between the muscles of the upper and lower limbs, you can not complete a complete analogy due to differences in the structure and functions of the belts and free limb parts. In connection with the specific structure and functions, the scapula and collarbone possess great freedom of movement. At the lower extremity the pelvic girdle is firmly, almost immobile, connected with the spine in the sacroiliac joint. Muscles. They originate on the spine (large lumbar, pear-shaped, large gluteal), attached to the femur, being anatomically and functionally muscles acting on the hip joint.
[Muscles of the pelvis (muscles of the pelvic girdle)
The muscles of the pelvis are divided into two groups - internal and external. The group of internal muscles include iliac-lumbar, internal blocking and pear-shaped. The group of external muscles of the pelvis includes a large, medium and small gluteal muscles: a broad fascia tensor, a square muscle of the thigh and an external blocking muscle.
Muscles of the pelvis (muscles of the pelvic girdle)
Muscles of the free part of the lower limb
Muscles of hip
The muscles of the thigh are divided into 3 groups: the anterior (hip flexors), the posterior (thigh extensors), and the medial (hip femoral).
Having a large mass and a considerable length, these muscles are able to develop a greater force, acting on both the hip and knee joints. Muscles of the thigh perform static and dynamic functions when standing, walking. Like the pelvic muscles, the muscles of the hip reach maximum development in humans in connection with the upright.
Muscles of lower leg
Muscles of the shin, like other muscles of the lower limb, are well developed, which is determined by the function they perform in connection with the upright walking, static and dynamics of the human body. Having a vast beginning on the bones, intermuscular septa and fasciae, the muscles of the shins act on the knee, ankle joints and joints of the foot.
There are anterior, posterior and lateral groups of leg muscles. The front group includes the anterior bolepteric muscle, the long extensor of the fingers, the long extensor of the thumb. To the posterior group belong the triceps muscle of the shank (consisting of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles), plantar and popliteal muscles, a long flexor of the fingers, a long flexor of the big toe, a posterior lumbar muscle. The lateral group of the tibia includes the short and long fibular muscles.
Muscles of the foot
Along with the tendons of the calf muscles, which form part of the anterior, posterior and lateral groups, attached to the bones of the foot, the foot has its own (short) muscles. These muscles begin and attach within the skeleton of the foot, have complex anatomical and topographical and functional relationships with the tendons of those leg muscles whose attachment points are on the bones of the foot. Muscles of the foot are located on its rear and on the sole.
When examining the lower limb, a number of muscular and bony landmarks are visible on it. This is the convexity of the gluteal region, separated from the hip by the gluteal fold, in the depth of which the sciatic tubercle is medially probed. In the upper part of the gluteal region is determined the crest of the ilium. On the thigh of lean people in front are visible inguinal fold and the border of the femoral triangle, where the femoral artery going downwards is probed. The contours of the quadriceps femoris are clearly visible. In the anterior region of the knee is a patella, and along the edges of it there are two pits, the condyles of the thigh are probed. Popliteal fossa is defined in the posterior region of the knee. On the front surface of the tibia is seen the anterior crest of the tibia, on the back - the gastrocnemius is contoured, which goes downwards to its tendon (Achilles). On the sides of the ankle joint visible ankle - lateral and medial. Normally, at the inner edge of the foot, its vault is clearly visible.
The thickness of the skin of the lower limb depends on the function of a segment and the degree of pressure experienced by the skin from the side of strong muscles. So, the skin of the buttocks, the front region of the knee, the sole is thick. The skin of the hip, posterior region of the knee, lower leg and rear of the foot is thin, movable. In the area of the anterior surface of the tibia, the skin is soldered to the fascia and periosteum of the anterior edge of the tibia, where subcutaneous fatty tissue is absent. In the subcutaneous tissue of the medial surface of the shin, a large subcutaneous vein of the leg and subcutaneous nerve pass. In the subcutaneous tissue of the posterior surface of the tibia, a small subcutaneous vein of the leg passes through the knee fossa, where it flows into the popliteal vein. Subcutaneous tissue is especially developed in the gluteal region, where it consists of two layers - the surface and the deep. The deep layer goes up to the cellulose of the lumbar region, forming a common fat body - the lumbar and gluteal fat mass. In the subcutaneous tissue there are branches of the gluteal arteries, veins and nerves. The underdeveloped superficial fascia is an extension of the superficial fascia of the body.
Movement of the lower limb
Hip movements are performed in the hip joint and are performed around three axes (triaxial - multi-axial joint). Flexion - extension (around the frontal axis) is possible within 80 ° - with a straightened limb and up to 120 ° - with the position of the tibia bent at the knee joint. The removal and reduction (around the sagittal axis) is performed within 70-75 °, the rotation about the longitudinal axis - up to 55 °.
Flexion of the hip: ilio-lumbar muscle, straight thigh muscle, sartorius muscle, broad fascia tensor, comb muscle.
Unbend the femur: the gluteus maximus muscle, the biceps femoris muscle, the semimembranous muscle, the semitendinous muscle.
Lead the hip: a large adductor muscle, a long adductor muscle, a short adductor muscle, a comb muscle, a thin muscle.
The hip is removed: the middle and the small gluteus muscles.
Turn the thigh inside: the medial gluteus muscle (front fascicles), the small gluteus muscle, the tensor of the broad fascia.
Turn the hip outside: large, medium and small gluteal muscles, sartorius muscle, ilio-lumbar muscle, square thigh muscle, external and internal blocking muscles.