Medical expert of the article
New publications
Muscles of the lower limb
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The muscles of the lower limb, like the upper limb, are divided into groups based on their regional affiliation and the function they perform. There are muscles of the pelvic girdle and the free part of the lower limb - the thigh, shin and foot. It is impossible to draw a complete analogy between the muscles of the upper and lower limbs due to the difference in the structure and functions of the girdles and free parts of the limb. Due to the specific structure and functions, the scapula and clavicle have great freedom of movement. In the lower limb, the pelvic girdle is firmly, almost immobilely connected to the spine at the sacroiliac joint. Muscles originating on the spine (large lumbar, piriformis, large gluteus) are attached to the femur, being anatomically and functionally muscles acting on the hip joint.
[ Pelvic muscles (pelvic girdle muscles)
The pelvic muscles are divided into two groups - internal and external. The internal group of muscles includes the iliopsoas, internal obturator and piriformis. The external group of pelvic muscles includes the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus: the tensor of the broad fascia, the quadratus femoris and the external obturator.
Pelvic muscles (pelvic girdle muscles)
Muscles of the free part of the lower limb
Thigh muscles
The thigh muscles are divided into 3 groups: anterior (hip flexors), posterior (hip extensors) and medial (hip adductors).
Having a large mass and considerable length, these muscles are capable of developing great force, acting on both the hip and knee joints. The thigh muscles perform static and dynamic functions when standing and walking. Like the pelvic muscles, the thigh muscles reach their maximum development in humans due to upright walking.
Calf muscles
The shin muscles, like other muscles of the lower limb, are well developed, which is determined by the function they perform in connection with upright walking, statics and dynamics of the human body. Having an extensive origin on the bones, intermuscular partitions and fascia, the shin muscles act on the knee, ankle and foot joints.
There are anterior, posterior and lateral groups of muscles of the lower leg. The anterior group includes the anterior tibialis muscle, long extensor of the fingers, long extensor of the big toe. The posterior group includes the triceps surae muscle (consisting of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles), plantar and popliteal muscles, long flexor of the fingers, long flexor of the big toe, posterior tibialis muscle. The lateral group of the lower leg includes the short and long peroneal muscles.
Muscles of the foot
Along with the tendons of the lower leg muscles attached to the bones of the foot, which are part of the anterior, posterior and lateral groups, the foot has its own (short) muscles. These muscles originate and are attached within the skeleton of the foot, and have complex anatomical, topographic and functional relationships with the tendons of those lower leg muscles whose attachment points are located on the bones of the foot. The muscles of the foot are located on its dorsum and sole.
When examining the lower limb, a number of muscular and bony landmarks are visible. This is the convexity of the gluteal region, separated from the thigh by the gluteal fold, in the depth of which the ischial tuberosity is palpated medially. In the upper part of the gluteal region, the iliac crest is determined. On the thigh of thin people, the inguinal fold and the borders of the femoral triangle are visible in front, where the femoral artery running from top to bottom is palpated. The contours of the quadriceps are clearly visible. In the anterior region of the knee is the patella, and on the edges of it are two pits, the condyles of the femur are palpated. In the posterior region of the knee, the popliteal fossa is determined. On the anterior surface of the shin, the anterior crest of the tibia is visible, on the back - the contours of the gastrocnemius muscle are visible, which downwards passes into its tendon (Achilles). On the sides of the ankle joint, the malleoli are visible - lateral and medial. Normally, the arch of the foot is clearly visible on the inner edge of the foot.
The thickness of the skin of the lower limb depends on the function of a particular segment and the degree of pressure experienced by the skin from strong muscles. Thus, the skin of the buttock, anterior knee, and sole is thick. The skin of the thigh, posterior knee, shin, and dorsum of the foot is thin and mobile. In the area of the anterior surface of the shin, the skin is fused with the fascia and periosteum of the anterior edge of the tibia, where subcutaneous fat is absent. The great saphenous vein and the saphenous nerve pass through the subcutaneous tissue of the medial surface of the shin. The small saphenous vein passes through the subcutaneous tissue of the posterior surface of the shin, heading for the popliteal fossa, where it flows into the popliteal vein. Subcutaneous tissue is especially developed in the gluteal region, where it consists of two layers - superficial and deep. The deep layer passes upward into the tissue of the lumbar region, forming a common fat body - the lumbogluteal fat mass. The subcutaneous tissue contains branches of the gluteal arteries, veins and nerves. The poorly developed superficial fascia is a continuation of the superficial fascia of the body.
Lower limb movements
Hip movements are performed in the hip joint and are performed around three axes (triaxial - multiaxial joint). Flexion - extension (around the frontal axis) is possible within 80° - with a straightened limb and up to 120° - with the lower leg bent at the knee joint. Abduction and adduction (around the sagittal axis) are performed within 70-75°, rotation around the longitudinal axis - up to 55°.
Hip flexion: iliopsoas, rectus femoris, sartorius, tensor fasciae latae, pectineus.
Extend the hip: gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus.
Adduct the thigh: adductor magnus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, pectineus, gracilis.
Abduct the thigh: gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles.
Rotate the thigh inward: gluteus medius (anterior bundles), gluteus minimus, tensor fasciae lata.
Rotate the thigh outward: gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, sartorius, iliopsoas, quadratus femoris, obturator externus and obturator internus.