Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

of femur (L4 to S1)

Rectus femoris Anterior inferior iliac

spine and groove

superior to acetabulum

Base of patella and to

tibial tuberosity via

patellar ligament

Femoral nerve

(L2-L4)

Lateral circumflex

femoral artery,

deep femoral

artery

Extends the leg at the

knee joint and flexes

the thigh at the hip joint

Vastus lateralis Greater trochanter and

lateral lip of linea

aspera of femur

Base of patella and to

tibial tuberosity via

patellar ligament

Femoral nerve

(L2-L4)

Lateral circumflex

femoral artery,

deep femoral

artery

Extends the leg at the

knee joint

Vastus medialisIntertrochanteric line

and medial lip of linea

aspera of femur

Base of patella and to

tibial tuberosity via

patellar ligament

Femoral nerve

(L2-L4)

Femoral artery,

deep femoral

artery

Extends the leg at the

knee joint

Vastus

intermedius

Anterior and lateral

surfaces of body of

femur

Base of patella and to

tibial tuberosity via

patellar ligament

Femoral nerve

(L2-L4)

Lateral circumflex

femoral artery,

deep femoral

artery

Extends the leg at the

knee joint

Pectineus Pecten pubis Pectineal line of femur Femoral nerve

(L2-L3) and

sometimes

obturator nerve

Medial circumflex

femoral artery,

obturator artery

Adducts and flexes

thigh

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Medial (= adductor) compartment

Adductors of hip

Adductors longus

Adductor brevis

Adductor magnus (also assist lateral rotation of knee)

Gracilis (also flexes knee)

Obturator externus-laterally rotates hip

Medial Thigh Muscles
Muscle Origin Insertion Innervation Blood Supply Action
Adductor
longus

Body of pubis, inferior

to pubic crest

Middle third of linea

aspera of femur

Obturator nerve

(anterior division)

(L2-L4)

Medial circumflex

femoral artery,

obturator artery

Adducts thigh

Adductor

brevis

Body and inferior pubic

ramus

Pectineal line and

proximal part of linea

aspera of femur

Obturator nerve

(L2-L4)

Medial circumflex

femoral artery,

obturator artery

Adducts and flexes thigh

Adductor

magnus

Inferior pubis ramus,

ramus of ischium

Hamstring part: ischial

tuberosity

Gluteal tuberosity, linea

aspera, supracondylar

line

Hamstring part:

adductor tubercle

Adductor part:

obturator nerve

(L2-L4)

Hamstring part:

tibial nerve (L4)

Deep femoral artery,

popliteal artery,

obturator

Adducts and flexes thigh

(adductor part)

Extends thigh (hamstring

part)

Gracilis Body of pubis and

inferior pubic ramus

Superior part of medial

surface of tibia

Obturator nerve

(L2-L3)

Deep femoral artery,

medial circumflex

femoral artery

Adducts thigh, flexes and

medially rotates the leg

Obturator

externus

Margins of obturator

foramen and obturator

membrane

Trochanteric fossa of

femur

Obturator nerve

(L2-L3)

Medial circumflex

femoral artery,

obturator artery

Laterally rotates the thigh and

stabilizes head of femur in

acetabulum

Posterior (= flexor) compartment

Hamstrings

Biceps femoris-also lateral rotates knee

Semitendinosus-also medial rotates knee

Semimembranosus-also medial rotates knee

Together extend hip (except short head of biceps femoris) and flex knee

Hamstring part of adductor magnus-extends hip

Posterior Thigh Muscles

Muscle Origin Insertion Innervation Blood Supply Action

Semitendinosus Upper and medial

ischial tuberosity

Superior part

of medial

surface of

tibia

Tibial division of

sciatic nerve (L5-S2)

Perforating branch of deep

artery of thigh, superior

muscular branches of

popliteal artery

Flexes leg,

extends thigh

SemimembranosusUpper and lateral ischial

tuberosity

Posterior

part of

medial

condyle of

tibia

Tibial division of

sciatic nerve (L5-S2)

Perforating branch of deep

artery of thigh, superior

muscular branches of

popliteal artery

Flexes leg,

extends thigh

Biceps femoris Long head-ischial

tuberosity

Short head-lateral lip of

Lateral side

of head of

fibula

Long head-tibial

division of sciatic

nerve (L5-S2)

Perforating branch of deep

artery of thigh, superior

muscular branches of

popliteal artery

Flexes and

laterally rotates

leg, extends

thigh