Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

The Knee and Patellofemoral Joints 247

Attachments and Primary Actions of Hamstring Muscles

Muscle Proximal attachment(s) Distal attachment(s) Primary action(s)

Hamstrings

Biceps femoris

(BI-seps FEM-o-ris)

Long head: ischial

tuberosity

Short head: linea aspera

of femur

Head of fibula

Lateral tibial condyle

Knee flexion

Knee external rotation

(Hip extension)

(Hip external rotation)

Semitendinosus

(sem-ee-ten-di-NO-sus)

Ischial tuberosity Medial surface of upper

tibia (pes anserinus)

Knee flexion

Knee internal rotation

(Hip extension)

(Hip internal rotation)

Semimembranosus

(sem-ee-mem-brah-NO-sus)

Ischial tuberosity Medial condyle of tibia Knee flexion

Knee internal rotation

(Hip extension)

(Hip internal rotation)

cause slight medial rotation of the tibia or knee. In contrast, the biceps femoris (bi, dual + L. capus,

head) inserts laterally on the fibula and tibia and so its action is slight external rotation of the tibia

or knee. In dance forms utilizing turnout, slight use of the biceps femoris is often encouraged to help

continue the turnout, primarily effected at the hip, through the lower leg.

FIGURE 5.7 The hamstrings and popliteus muscles (right knee, posterior view). (A) Superficial view of hamstrings, (B)
popliteus and long head cut to show short head of biceps femoris.

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