Adductor longus

Meaning

adduct = draw toward
longus = long

Function

adducts & flexes
the thigh at the hip

Origin

upper pubis, below
the pubic tubercle

Insertion

in the linear third
of the linea aspera
of the femur

spaceholder

_________________________

Adductor magnus

Meaning

adduct = to draw toward
magnus = great

Function

adducts hip towards
bodies midline

Origin

outer surface of lower
pubic ramus & ischial ramus

Insertion

at the adductor tubercle
on the medial
femoral condyle

_________________________

Biceps femoris

Meaning

bicept = double-headed
or two peaks
femoris = femur =
long bone of upper leg

Function

one of three hamstring muscles |
extends thigh and
bends & rotates the knee

Origin

back of upper leg (hamstring)
facet of the ischial tuberosity

Insertion

head of the fibula

_________________________

Meaning

ex = out from
tendere = to stretch
digitorum = digitus =
pointing thing
longus = long

Function

allows foot and toes to be
bend upwards (stretching)

Origin

at shaft of fibula
shin

Insertion

into three middle toes

_________________________

Fibularus longus

Meaning

fibularus = calf of the leg
longus = long

Function

allows for flexing the ankles

Origin

outermost muscle of calves
at lateral shaft of
the fibula and the
intermuscular septa

Insertion

medial cuneiform bone
bone leading to big toe

_________________________

Flexor digitorum longus

Meaning

flexor = to bend
digitorum = digitus =
pointing thing
longus = long

Function

allows for flexing
and inverting foot |
allows for curling of
2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th toe

Origin

at posterior surface
of the tibia

Insertion

toes (all but
the big toe)

_________________________

Gastrocnemius

Meaning

gastrcnemius =
stomach of the leg

Function

flexing the foot at the ankle
and flexing the leg at the knee

Origin

medial and lateral
condyle of femur

Insertion

tendo calcaneus
(achilles tendon)

_________________________

Gracilis

Meaning

grasilis = slender, slim

Function

adducts hip and
helps to flex knees

Origin

lower ischial pubic ramus
(pubic bone)

Insertion

tuberosity (large rounded
part of bone) of tibia
along with the Sartorius &
Semitendinosus

_________________________

Pectineus

Meaning

pectineus = comb

Function

flexes hip, and
adducts & rotates thigh

Origin

pectineal line of pubis

Insertion

   pectineal line of the femur

_________________________

Piriformis

Meaning

piriformis = pear shaped

Function

helps rotate hip |
abducts thigh &
stabilizes head of femur

Origin

inner sacrum

Insertion

trochanter (two bony
protuberances for muscle
attachment) of femur

_________________________

Plantaris

Meaning

planta = sole of the foot

Function

flexes knees and
helps flex ankles

Origin

lower head ridge of femur,
just above the gastrocnemius origin

Insertion

Achilles tendon

_________________________

Rectus femoris

Meaning

rectus = straight
femoris = femur =
long bone of upper leg

Function

flexes hip |
helps to extend
and raise the knee

Origin

hip (iliac spine)

Insertion

patella of the knee

_________________________

Sartorius

Meaning

sartor = tailor
sartorius = tailors muscle

Function

is a synergist muscle |
weak actions |
flex, abduct & rotate hip |
flexes knee

Origin

iliac spine of the
pelvic bone

Insertion

tuberosity (large rounded
part of bone) of tibia
along with the Gracilis &
Semitendinosus

_________________________

Semimembranosus

   Meaning

semi = half
membrana = skin

Function

one of three
hamstring muscles |
flexes and rotates leg

Origin

upper back quadrant
of the ischial tuberosity

Insertion

back of tibial condyle
(rounded protuberance
at end of bone) surface

_________________________

Semitendinosus

Meaning

semi = half
tendere = to stretch

Function

one of three
hamstring muscles |
flexes knee and extends hip

Origin

inner base of pelvis

Insertion

tuberosity (large rounded
part of bone) of tibia
along with the Sartorius &
Gracilis

_________________________

Soleus

Meaning

soleus = flat sandal

Function

plantarflexion
(flexing downward)
of foot and toes

Origin

back of fibular head

Insertion

fibrous tissue of
gastrocnemius
forms the Achilles tendon

_________________________

Tensor fasciae latae

Meaning

tensor = stretcher
fasciae = of the band
the stretcher of the side band

Function

abducts & rotates femur |
braces the knee

Origin

back of fibular head

Insertion

iliotibial tract (IT band)
forms the Achilles tendon

_________________________

Tibialis anterior

Meaning

tibia = shinbone
anterior = front, fore

Function

dorsiflexion
(flexing upward)
and inverts foot

Origin

upper half of front shaft
of the tibia

Insertion

wedge and base of the
1^st metatarsal

_________________________

Tibialis posterior

Meaning

tibia = shinbone
posterior = behind

Function

plantarflexion
(flexing downward)
and inversion of foot |
supports arch of foot

Origin

inner borders
of the tibia and fibula

Insertion

base of metatarsel
two - four

_________________________

Vastus intermedius

   Meaning

   vastus = enormous
intermedius = middle

Function

facilitates knee extension

Origin

upper femur
(the thighbone)

Insertion

quadriceps tendon
(connecting femoris to patella)

_________________________

Vastus lateralis

Meaning

vastus = enormous
lateralis = belonging to the side

Function

extend lower leg

Origin

upper femur
(the thighbone)

Insertion

quadriceps tendon
(connecting femoris to patella)

_________________________

Vastus medialus

Meaning

vastus = enormous
medialus = middle

Function

knee extension |
stabilizes patella

Origin

upper femoral shaft

Insertion

quadriceps tendon
(connecting femoris to patella)