Muscle Attachments and Actions (Lower Body)
Let Massage Finder find your massage needs.


MuscleOriginInsertionAction
Adductor BrevisInferior ramus of pubisProximal linea aspera of femurAdduction and flexion of hip
Adductor LongusInferior ramus of pubisMid-medial linea aspera of femurAdduction and flexion of hip
Adductor MagnusInferior ramus of pubis, ramus of ischium, and ischial tuberosityGluteal tuberosity, linea aspera, and adductor tubercle of femurAdduction, flexion, and extension of hip
Biceps FemorisIscial tuberosity and posterior femurHead of fibulaExtension and external rotation of hip; flexion and external rotation of knee
Extensor Digitorum LongusAnterior, lateral surface of fibulaMiddle and distal phalanges digits 2-5Dorsiflexion of ankle; extension of digits 2-5
Extensor Hallucis LongusAnterior surface of fibulaDistal phalanx 1st digitDorsiflexion of ankle; extension of digit 1
Flexor Digitorum LongusPosterior, medial tibiaPlantar surface phalanges 2-5Plantar flexion of ankle; flexion of digits 2-5
Flexor Hallucis LongusDistal 2/3 of posterior fibula; interosseus membranePlantar surface of phalanx digit 1Plantar flexion of ankle; flexion of digit 1
GastrocnemiusPosterior condyles of femurCalcaneusFlexion, internal, and external rotation of knee; plantar flexion, eversion, and inversion of ankle
Gluteus MaximusIliac crest, sacrum, coccyx, sacrotuberus ligament, and sacroiliac ligamentIliotibial band and gluteal tuberosityExtension, adduction, abduction, and external rotation of hip; posterior tilting of pelvis
Gluteus MediusLateral surface of iliumGreater trochanter of femurFlexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation of hip
Gluteus MinimusInferior lateral surface of iliumGreater trochanter of femurFlexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation of hip
GracilisInferior ramus and crest of pubisProximal, medial tibiaAdduction and flexion of hip; flexion of knee
IliacusIliac fossaLesser trochanter of femurFlexion of trunk; anterior tilting of pelvis; flexion, adduction, and external rotation of hip
PectineusSuperior ramus of pubisProximal, medial femurAdduction of hip
Peroneus BrevisDistal 1/2 of fibulaPeroneal tuberclePlantar flexion and eversion of ankle
Peroneus LongusProximal 1/2 of fibulaFirst metatarsal and medial cuneiformPlantar flexion and eversion of ankle
PiriformisAnterior, lateral sacrumGreater trochanter of femurExternal rotation and horizontal adduction of hip
PlantarisLateral supracondylar ridge of femurCalcaneusFlexion of knee; plantar flexion of ankle
PopliteusLateral condyle of femurMedial condyle of tibiaFlexion and internal rotation of knee
Psoas MajorBodies of vertebrae L1-L5Lesser trochanter of femurFlexion of trunk; flexion, adduction, and external rotation of hip
Quadratus FemorisLateral ischial tuberosityIntertrochanteric crest of femurExternal rotation of hip
Rectus FemorisAnterior inferior iliac spinePatella; tibial tuberosityFlexion of hip; extension of knee
SartoriusAnterior superior iliac spineProximal, medial tibiaFlexion, abduction, and external rotation of hip; flexion of knee
SemimembranosisIschial tuberosityLateral condyle of tibiaExtension and internal rotation of hip; flexion and internal rotation of knee
SemitendonosisIschial tuberosityProximal, medial tibiaExtension and internal rotation of hip; flexion and internal rotation of knee
SoleusPosterior tibia and fibulaCalcaneusPlantar flexion, eversion, and inversion of ankle
Tensor Fascia LataeIliac crest (posterior to anterior superior iliac spine)Iliotibial bandFlexion, internal rotation, and abduction of hip
Tibialis AnteriorLateral surface of tibiaFirst metatarsal and medial cuneiformDorsiflexion and inversion of ankle
Tibialis PosteriorProximal posterior tibia, proximal posterior fibula, and interosseus membraneNavicular, cuboid, cuneiform, and metatarsals 2-4Plantar flexion and eversion of ankle
Vastus IntermediusAnterior femurPatella; tibial tuberosityExtension of knee
Vastus LateralisLateral linea aspera of femurPatella; tibial tuberosityExtension of knee
Vastus MedialisMedial linea aspera of femurPatella; tibial tuberosityExtension of knee

Leave a Reply