Thigh muscles

1. Muscle Name Origin Insertion Nerve Functions(s) Clinical Significance
Anterior Thigh (from medial to lateral) – EXTENSOR
Sartorius ASIS Tibia– pes
anserinus
Femoral
Flexesthigh
at hip
Flexeslegat
knee joint
Lateral borderof
femoral triangle
Rectus
femoris(Q)
ASIS Quadriceps
femoris
tendon
Flexesthigh
at hip
Extendslegat
knee joint
Loss/weakness:
difficultygettingout
of chair
Muscle/tendon
rupture:painon use
and palpable sulcus
V Medialus
(Q)
Femur-medial
part of
intertrochanteric
line
Quadriceps
femoris
tendon
Extendslegat
knee joint
V Intermedius
(Q)
Femur Quadriceps
femoris
tendon
Extendslegat
knee joint
V Lateralis(Q) Femur-lateral
part of
intertrochanteric
line
Quadriceps
femoris
tendon
Extendslegat
knee joint
TensorFascia
Lata
Iliaccrest Iliotibialtract Superior
gluteal
nerve (L4-
L5)
Stabilises
knee in
extension

2. Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve Function(s) Clinical Significance
Medial Thigh (from superolateral to inferomedial) – ADDUCTOR
Pectinius Pectineal line Oblique line
frombase of
lesser
trochanter
Femoral Adductsand
flexeshipat
thighjoint
AddLongus External
surface of
bodyof pubis
Middle one-
thirdof
femur
Obturator Adductsand
medially
rotatesthigh
at hipjoint
AddBrevis External
surface of
bodyof pubis
Posterior
surface of
proximal
femur
Obturator Adducts
thighat hip
joint
AddMagnus Ischiopubic
ramus
Posterior
surface of
proximal
femur
Obturator/Sciatic Adductsand
medially
rotatesthigh
at hipjoint
Gracilis Body of the
pubis,
inferiorpubic
ramus
Medial
surface of
proximal
tibia, pes
anserinus
Obturator Adducts
thighat hip
joint
Flexeslegat
knee joint
** Femoralartery passesthrough adductorhiatus(hole) to becomepoplitealartery

3. Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve Function(s) Clinical
Significance
Posterior Thigh (from medial to lateral) – FLEXOR
Semimembranosus Ischial
Tuberosity
Medial
tibial
condyle
Sciatic
Nerve
Flexeslegatknee
joint
Extendsthighat
hipjoint
Mediallyrotates
thighat hip and
legat knee
Rupture causes
painand
ecchymosis
Semitendinosus Ischial
Tuberosity
Medial
surface of
proximal
tibia– pes
anserinus
Flexeslegatknee
Extendsthighat
hip
Mediallyrotates
thighat hipand
legat knee
Bicepsfemoris Ischial
Tuberosity
Headof
fibula
Flexeslegatknee
joint
Extendsand
laterallyrotates
thighat hip
Laterallyrotates
legat knee

5. Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve Function(s) Clinical Significance
Gluteus
G Maximus Ilium,
Sacrum,
ligaments
Femurand IT
band
Inferior
gluteal
nerve (L5-
S1)
Powerfully
extendsflexed
femurat hip
Laterallystabilises
hipand knee
Laterallyrotates
and abductsthigh
Preventstrunktipping
forwardwhilstwalking
Damage = lurch
backward
G Medius Ilium Lateral surface
of greater
trochanter
Superior
gluteal
nerve (L4-
L5)
Abductsfemurat
hip
Mediallyrotates
thigh
Holdspelvis
secure overstance
leg,preventsdrop
Trendelenburgsign
leantounsupported
side if damaged
G Minimus Ilium Anterolateral
surface of
greater
trochanter
Superior
gluteal
nerve (L4-
L5)
Abductsfemurat
hip
Mediallyrotates
thigh
Holdspelvis
secure overstance
leg,preventsdrop

6. Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve Function(s) Clinical Significance
Lateral Rotator
Piriformis Sacrum Greater
trochanter
L4-S2
Laterallyrotates
extendedfemur
at hip
Abductsflexed
femurat hip
Splitsgreatersciatic
foramenintotwo
compartmentsà
superiorgluteal nerve
emergesabove à
inferiorandsciatic
emerge frombelow.
Gemellus
superior
External
ischium
Medial
greater
trochanter
Laterallyrotates
extendedfemur
at hip
Abductsflexed
femurat hip
Obturator
internus
Medial
greater
trochanter
Laterallyrotates
extendedfemur
at hip
Abductsflexed
femurat hip
Gemellus
inferior
Upper
aspect
ischial
tuberosity
Medial
greater
trochanter
Laterallyrotates
extendedfemur
at hip
Abductsflexed
femurat hip
Obturator
externus
Obturator
nerve
Quadratus
femoris
Ischium
anteriorto
ischial
tuberosity
Intertrochan
tericcrest
L4-S2 Laterallyrotates
femurat hipjoint