Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology

220

FASH-ee-ah LAH-tuh) tenses the fascia lata, which is a
thick band of connective tissue on the lateral side of the
thigh causing abduction of the femur.

Muscles Moving the Knee Joint

Six muscles involved in flexion of the knee are found
posteriorly on the thigh and four muscles involved in
extension are found on the anterior surface of the

Chapter 9

thigh (Figure 9-11). Table 9-9 lists the muscles involved in

flexion of the knee. The flexors of the knee are the biceps-

femoris (BYE-seps FEM-ohr-iss), the semitendi-

nosus (sim-ee-tin-dih-NO-sus), the

semimembranosus

(sim-ee-mim-brah-NO-sus) (these first three are also known

as the hamstrings), the popliteus (pop-lih-TEE-us), the

gracilis (GRASS-ih-liss), and the sartorius (sahr-TOHR-

ee-us). The hamstrings get their name because the tendons of

these muscles in hogs or pigs were used

Tensor fascia lata

Rectus femoris

Vastus lateralis

Peroneus longus

Tibialis anterior

Extensor digitorum

communis longus

(A)

Iliopsoas

Pectineus

Adductor

longus^

Gracilis^

Sartorius

Vastus

medialis

Gastrocnemius

Soleus

Gluteus

maximus

Adductor^

magnus

Semitendinosus

Semimembranosus

Soleus

Calcaneal

tendon

(Achilles)

(B)

Biceps femoris

(long head)

Biceps femoris

(short head)

Plantaris

Gastrocnemius

(^) ®
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Figure 9- 11 Superficial muscles of the leg: (A) anterior view, (B) posterior
view.