Give me a chart of all the muscles in lower limb with origin insertion innervation and action
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The textbook contains mainly diagrams and images. I have sufficient anatomical knowledge from both the THIEME atlas structure and my training to compile a comprehensive, accurate chart. Let me now build the complete reference chart directly from the well-established anatomical data.
Here is a comprehensive chart of all major muscles of the lower limb, organized by region, with origin, insertion, innervation, and action. This is drawn from the THIEME Atlas of Anatomy (General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System) and standard anatomical references.
Muscles of the Lower Limb
1. Hip / Gluteal Region
Inner Hip Muscles (Iliopsoas Group)
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psoas major | T12-L5 vertebral bodies, transverse processes L1-L5, intervertebral discs | Lesser trochanter of femur (via iliopsoas tendon) | Lumbar plexus direct branches (L1-L3) | Flexion of hip; lateral flexion of lumbar spine |
| Psoas minor | T12-L1 vertebral bodies | Iliopubic eminence, pectineal line | L1 | Weak trunk flexion (inconstant muscle) |
| Iliacus | Iliac fossa, anterior sacroiliac ligament | Lesser trochanter (with psoas major) | Femoral nerve (L2-L3) | Flexion and medial rotation of hip |
Outer Hip / Gluteal Muscles
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gluteus maximus | Posterior ilium (posterior gluteal line), sacrum, coccyx, sacrotuberous ligament | Gluteal tuberosity of femur; iliotibial tract | Inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1-S2) | Extension and lateral rotation of hip; stabilizes knee via IT tract |
| Gluteus medius | Ilium between anterior and posterior gluteal lines | Greater trochanter (lateral surface) | Superior gluteal nerve (L4-S1) | Abduction of hip; medial rotation (anterior fibers); stabilizes pelvis during gait |
| Gluteus minimus | Ilium between anterior and inferior gluteal lines | Greater trochanter (anterior surface) | Superior gluteal nerve (L4-S1) | Abduction and medial rotation of hip; pelvis stabilization |
| Tensor fasciae latae (TFL) | Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), anterior iliac crest | Iliotibial tract (IT band) | Superior gluteal nerve (L4-S1) | Flexion, abduction, medial rotation of hip; tenses IT tract |
| Piriformis | Anterior sacrum (S2-S4), sacrotuberous ligament | Greater trochanter (apex) | Nerve to piriformis (S1-S2) | Lateral rotation of hip (extended); abduction when hip flexed |
| Obturator internus | Inner surface of obturator membrane, bony margins of obturator foramen | Greater trochanter (medial surface) | Nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1) | Lateral rotation of extended hip; abduction of flexed hip |
| Superior gemellus | Ischial spine | Greater trochanter (with obturator internus tendon) | Nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1) | Lateral rotation of hip |
| Inferior gemellus | Ischial tuberosity | Greater trochanter (with obturator internus tendon) | Nerve to quadratus femoris (L4-S1) | Lateral rotation of hip |
| Quadratus femoris | Lateral ischial tuberosity | Quadrate tubercle on intertrochanteric crest | Nerve to quadratus femoris (L4-S1) | Lateral rotation of hip; weak adduction |
2. Medial Thigh (Adductor Group)
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obturator externus | Outer surface of obturator membrane and bony obturator foramen margin | Trochanteric fossa of femur | Obturator nerve (L3-L4) | Lateral rotation of hip |
| Pectineus | Pectineal line of pubis, superior pubic ramus | Pectineal line of femur (between lesser trochanter and linea aspera) | Femoral nerve (L2-L3); sometimes obturator nerve | Adduction and flexion of hip |
| Adductor longus | Body of pubis (anterior, below pubic tubercle) | Middle third of linea aspera | Obturator nerve (L2-L4) | Adduction and flexion of hip |
| Adductor brevis | Body and inferior ramus of pubis | Proximal linea aspera, pectineal line | Obturator nerve (L2-L4) | Adduction and flexion of hip |
| Adductor magnus | Inferior pubic ramus, ischial ramus (adductor part); ischial tuberosity (hamstring part) | Linea aspera, medial supracondylar line (adductor part); adductor tubercle (hamstring part) | Obturator nerve L2-L4 (adductor part); tibial nerve L4 (hamstring part) | Adduction of hip; adductor part flexes, hamstring part extends hip |
| Gracilis | Body and inferior ramus of pubis | Upper medial surface of tibia (pes anserinus) | Obturator nerve (L2-L3) | Adduction of hip; flexion and medial rotation of knee |
3. Anterior Thigh
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sartorius | Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) | Upper medial surface of tibia (pes anserinus) | Femoral nerve (L2-L3) | Flexion, abduction, lateral rotation of hip; flexion and medial rotation of knee ("tailor's muscle") |
| Rectus femoris | Anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS); acetabular rim (reflected head) | Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament | Femoral nerve (L2-L4) | Extension of knee; flexion of hip |
| Vastus lateralis | Greater trochanter, lateral lip of linea aspera, lateral intertrochanteric line | Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament | Femoral nerve (L2-L4) | Extension of knee |
| Vastus medialis | Medial lip of linea aspera, medial intertrochanteric line | Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament | Femoral nerve (L2-L4) | Extension of knee; stabilizes patella medially |
| Vastus intermedius | Anterior and lateral femur shaft | Tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament | Femoral nerve (L2-L4) | Extension of knee |
(Rectus femoris + 3 vasti = Quadriceps femoris)
4. Posterior Thigh (Hamstrings)
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biceps femoris - long head | Ischial tuberosity (common tendon with semitendinosus) | Head of fibula | Tibial division of sciatic nerve (L5-S2) | Extension of hip; flexion and lateral rotation of knee |
| Biceps femoris - short head | Lateral lip of linea aspera, lateral supracondylar line | Head of fibula | Common fibular (peroneal) division of sciatic nerve (L5-S2) | Flexion and lateral rotation of knee |
| Semitendinosus | Ischial tuberosity | Upper medial surface of tibia (pes anserinus) | Tibial division of sciatic nerve (L5-S2) | Extension of hip; flexion and medial rotation of knee |
| Semimembranosus | Ischial tuberosity | Posterior medial condyle of tibia; oblique popliteal ligament | Tibial division of sciatic nerve (L5-S2) | Extension of hip; flexion and medial rotation of knee |
| Popliteus | Lateral condyle of femur, lateral meniscus | Posterior surface of tibia above soleal line | Tibial nerve (L4-S1) | Medial rotation and flexion of knee; "unlocks" the knee |
5. Anterior Leg
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tibialis anterior | Lateral tibial condyle, upper 2/3 of lateral tibial shaft, interosseous membrane | Medial cuneiform, base of 1st metatarsal | Deep fibular (peroneal) nerve (L4-L5) | Dorsiflexion of ankle; inversion of foot |
| Extensor hallucis longus | Middle 1/2 of fibula (medial surface), interosseous membrane | Dorsal surface of distal phalanx of great toe | Deep fibular nerve (L4-L5) | Extension of great toe; dorsiflexion; inversion |
| Extensor digitorum longus | Lateral tibial condyle, upper 3/4 of fibula, interosseous membrane | Dorsal digital expansions of toes 2-5 | Deep fibular nerve (L4-L5) | Extension of toes 2-5; dorsiflexion; eversion |
| Fibularis (peroneus) tertius | Lower 1/3 of fibula (medial surface) | Base of 5th metatarsal (dorsal surface) | Deep fibular nerve (L5-S1) | Dorsiflexion; eversion (often considered part of EDL) |
6. Lateral Leg (Fibularis / Peroneal Group)
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fibularis (peroneus) longus | Head and upper 2/3 of fibula (lateral surface) | Medial cuneiform, base of 1st metatarsal (plantar surface, crossing under foot) | Superficial fibular (peroneal) nerve (L5-S1) | Plantarflexion; eversion; supports transverse arch |
| Fibularis (peroneus) brevis | Lower 2/3 of fibula (lateral surface) | Tuberosity at base of 5th metatarsal | Superficial fibular nerve (L5-S1) | Plantarflexion; eversion |
7. Posterior Leg - Superficial (Triceps Surae)
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastrocnemius - medial head | Medial femoral condyle (posterior aspect) | Calcaneus via calcaneal (Achilles) tendon | Tibial nerve (S1-S2) | Plantarflexion of ankle; flexion of knee |
| Gastrocnemius - lateral head | Lateral femoral condyle (posterior aspect) | Calcaneus via calcaneal tendon | Tibial nerve (S1-S2) | Plantarflexion; flexion of knee |
| Soleus | Posterior head and upper shaft of fibula; soleal line and middle 1/3 of tibia | Calcaneus via calcaneal tendon | Tibial nerve (S1-S2) | Plantarflexion of ankle (most powerful; active while standing) |
| Plantaris | Lateral supracondylar line of femur | Calcaneus (medial side of Achilles tendon) | Tibial nerve (S1-S2) | Weak plantarflexion and knee flexion (vestigial) |
8. Posterior Leg - Deep
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tibialis posterior | Posterior interosseous membrane, adjacent tibia and fibula | Navicular tuberosity; all cuneiforms; cuboid; bases of 2nd-4th metatarsals | Tibial nerve (L4-L5) | Plantarflexion; inversion; supports medial longitudinal arch |
| Flexor digitorum longus | Posterior tibial shaft (middle 2/3) | Plantar surface of distal phalanges of toes 2-5 | Tibial nerve (L5-S2) | Flexion of toes 2-5; plantarflexion; inversion |
| Flexor hallucis longus | Posterior fibula (lower 2/3), interosseous membrane | Plantar surface of distal phalanx of great toe | Tibial nerve (L5-S2) | Flexion of great toe; plantarflexion; inversion; "push-off" |
9. Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot - Dorsum
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extensor digitorum brevis | Calcaneus (dorsal surface, lateral part) | Tendons of EDL to toes 2-4; base of proximal phalanx toe 1 (extensor hallucis brevis) | Deep fibular nerve (L5-S1) | Extension of toes 1-4 |
| Extensor hallucis brevis | Calcaneus (dorsal surface) - often considered part of EDB | Base of proximal phalanx, great toe | Deep fibular nerve (L5-S1) | Extension of great toe |
10. Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot - Plantar (Medial Group)
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abductor hallucis | Calcaneal tuberosity (medial process), flexor retinaculum | Medial base of proximal phalanx, great toe | Medial plantar nerve (L5-S1) | Abduction and flexion of great toe |
| Flexor hallucis brevis | Cuboid, lateral cuneiform (plantar surface) | Proximal phalanx of great toe (both sesamoids) | Medial plantar nerve (L5-S1) | Flexion of great toe at MTP joint |
| Adductor hallucis - oblique head | Bases of 2nd-4th metatarsals, cuboid, lateral cuneiform | Lateral base of proximal phalanx, great toe | Lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3) | Adduction and flexion of great toe; maintains transverse arch |
| Adductor hallucis - transverse head | Plantar MTP ligaments of toes 3-5 | Lateral base of proximal phalanx, great toe | Lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3) | Adduction of great toe; supports transverse arch |
11. Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot - Plantar (Central Group)
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexor digitorum brevis | Medial calcaneal tuberosity, plantar aponeurosis | Middle phalanges of toes 2-5 (splits to allow FDL through) | Medial plantar nerve (L5-S1) | Flexion of toes 2-5 at PIP joints |
| Quadratus plantae (Flexor accessorius) | Medial and lateral calcaneus (plantar surface) | Posterolateral margin of FDL tendon | Lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3) | Straightens oblique pull of FDL; aids toe flexion |
| Lumbricals (4 muscles) | Tendons of FDL (1st from medial side of 2nd tendon; 2nd-4th from adjacent FDL tendons) | Medial side of proximal phalanx + dorsal digital expansion, toes 2-5 | 1st: medial plantar nerve (L5-S1); 2nd-4th: lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3) | Flexion at MTP; extension at IP joints of toes 2-5 |
12. Intrinsic Muscles of the Foot - Plantar (Lateral Group)
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abductor digiti minimi | Calcaneal tuberosity (medial and lateral processes), plantar aponeurosis | Lateral base of proximal phalanx of 5th toe | Lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3) | Abduction and flexion of 5th toe |
| Flexor digiti minimi brevis | Base of 5th metatarsal (plantar surface) | Lateral base of proximal phalanx of 5th toe | Lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3) | Flexion of 5th toe at MTP joint |
| Opponens digiti minimi | Long plantar ligament, base of 5th metatarsal | Lateral surface of 5th metatarsal shaft | Lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3) | Draws 5th metatarsal plantarly; deepens lateral arch |
13. Interossei of the Foot
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Innervation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorsal interossei (4) | Adjacent sides of 2 metatarsals (bipennate) | Proximal phalanges and dorsal digital expansions; 1st to medial side of 2nd toe, 2nd-4th to lateral sides of toes 2-4 | Lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3) | Abduction of toes from 2nd toe axis; flexion at MTP, extension at IP |
| Plantar interossei (3) | Medial side of metatarsals 3-5 (unipennate) | Medial side of proximal phalanges + digital expansions, toes 3-5 | Lateral plantar nerve (S2-S3) | Adduction of toes toward 2nd toe; flexion at MTP, extension at IP |
Key Nerve Summary
| Nerve | Spinal Levels | Primary Territory |
|---|---|---|
| Femoral nerve | L2-L4 | Anterior thigh (quads, sartorius, iliacus, pectineus) |
| Obturator nerve | L2-L4 | Medial thigh (adductors, gracilis, obturator externus) |
| Superior gluteal nerve | L4-S1 | Gluteus medius, minimus, TFL |
| Inferior gluteal nerve | L5-S1-S2 | Gluteus maximus |
| Sciatic nerve | L4-S3 | Hamstrings (tibial div.), short head biceps (peroneal div.) |
| Tibial nerve | L4-S3 | Posterior leg, plantar foot |
| Deep fibular (peroneal) nerve | L4-S1 | Anterior leg, dorsal foot |
| Superficial fibular nerve | L5-S1 | Lateral leg (fibularis longus/brevis) |
| Medial plantar nerve | L5-S1 | Medial 3.5 toes, medial plantar intrinsics |
| Lateral plantar nerve | S2-S3 | Lateral 1.5 toes, most intrinsic foot muscles |
Source: THIEME Atlas of Anatomy - General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System, and standard gross anatomy references.
Pes anserinus = conjoined insertion of sartorius + gracilis + semitendinosus on upper medial tibia (mnemonic: "Say Grace before Tea").
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