Logan Steele
The thigh is the area between the hip and the knee, and it contains some of the body's largest muscles. The muscles in the thigh can be divided into three groups: posterior, medial, and anterior. Posterior thigh muscles run from the hip to just below the knee and include the hamstrings. Medial thigh muscles are located on the inside of the thigh, starting at the pelvis and extending to the femur. Anterior thigh muscles are at the front of the thigh, starting at the pelvis and extending down to the kneecap and shin bone. The thigh muscles are prone to injury, especially in athletes, and they assist in various movements, such as bending, extending, flexing, and rotating the lower body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Thigh muscle groups | Posterior, medial, anterior |
| Posterior thigh muscles | Hamstrings, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris |
| Medial thigh muscles | Adductors, adductor longus, adductor magnus, gracilis, obturator externus |
| Anterior thigh muscles | Quadriceps, vastus lateralis, tensor of the vastus intermedius, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, sartorius, iliopsoas, pectineus |
| Adductor muscles | Obturator externus, gracilis, adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus |
| Sartorius | Longest muscle in the body |
| Iliopsoas | Psoas major, iliacus |
| Pectineus | Flat, quadrangular-shaped muscle |
| Quadriceps femoris | Consists of four individual muscles |
| Femur | Single bone in the thigh |
| Muscle strains | Common injury, especially in athletes |
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What You'll Learn
Hamstrings
The hamstring muscles are made up of three posterior thigh muscles: the semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris. The semimembranosus is on the innermost side of the back of the thigh, while the biceps femoris is on the outside. The semitendinosus and semimembranosus extend the hip when the trunk is fixed, and they also flex the knee and medially (inwardly) rotate the lower leg when the knee is bent. The biceps femoris flexes the knee, extends the hip, and rotates the lower leg from side to side when the knee is bent.
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Adductors
The thigh muscles can be divided into three groups: posterior, medial, and anterior. The adductors are a group of muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh. They are the gracilis, obturator externus, adductor brevis, adductor longus, and adductor magnus.
The adductors originate on the pubis and ischium bones and insert on the medial posterior surface of the femur. They are responsible for bringing the thighs together (adduction) and are crucial for maintaining balance, keeping the hips and legs in alignment, and facilitating rotation through the hips and legs.
The adductor longus is a large, flat muscle that partially covers the adductor brevis and magnus. It originates from the pubis bone of the pelvis and expands into a fan shape, attaching to the linea aspera of the femur. The adductor brevis, on the other hand, is a short muscle lying underneath the adductor longus. It originates from the body of the pubis and inferior pubic rami, attaching to the posterior surface of the femur. Both muscles contribute to adduction of the thigh and are innervated by the obturator nerve (L2-L4).
The adductor magnus is the largest muscle in the medial compartment of the thigh, consisting of two parts: an adductor component and a hamstring component. The adductor portion flexes the thigh, while the hamstring portion extends it. The adductor magnus is innervated by the tibial portion of the sciatic nerve (L4). The obturator artery, a branch of the internal iliac artery, supplies blood to the adductor magnus and most of the medial thigh compartment.
The adductors are susceptible to injuries, especially in athletes and sports that involve explosive movements or extreme stretching. Strains or tears in the adductor muscles are commonly referred to as "groin strains."
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Quadriceps
The four muscles of the quadriceps collectively insert into the tuberosity of the tibia via the patella, where the quadriceps tendon becomes the patellar tendon. The patella, or kneecap, is attached to the tibial tuberosity by the patellar ligament. The quadriceps tendon connects to the top part of the kneecap, and the connective fibres of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis attach themselves to the margins of the patella. The quadriceps femoris muscle is innervated by the femoral nerve, which originates from L2, L3, and L4.
The quadriceps play a crucial role in various movements, including kicking, running, jumping, and walking. They help to straighten the knee and are powerful extensors of the knee joint. The rectus femoris, by attaching to the ilium, is also a flexor of the hip, allowing the leg to swing forward into the ensuing step. This action is crucial for walking and running. Additionally, the quadriceps help to stabilise the patella and the knee joint during gait.
The quadriceps are prone to injuries, especially during athletic activities such as running, jumping, and changing directions. Common injuries include strains, contusions, and tendonitis. To reduce the risk of injury, it is important to warm up and stretch before physical activity and to rest when feeling pain or fatigue in the quadriceps.
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Pectineus
The pectineus is a flat, quadrangular-shaped muscle that contributes to the floor of the femoral triangle. It is located in the medial compartment of the thigh, specifically at the anterior (front) and medial (inner) part of the upper thigh. The pectineus muscle is considered a transitional muscle between the anterior thigh and medial thigh.
The pectineus muscle originates from the pectineal line of the pubic bone and inserts into the pectineal line of the femur, or thigh bone. It is innervated by the femoral nerve at the anterior surface of the muscle, and the obturator nerve at the posterior surface. The muscle is the most anterior adductor of the hip and belongs to a group of muscles known as the adductor muscles, which are located in the inner thigh and aid in balance and alignment.
The functions of the pectineus include flexion, adduction, external (lateral) rotation, and internal (medial) rotation of the thigh at the hip joint. When the muscle contracts, it first causes flexion to occur at the hip joint, bringing the thigh forward and upward. This is followed by adduction, where the contracted muscle fibres pull the thigh towards the midline of the body.
The pectineus muscle can become injured through overstretching, such as stretching the leg too far out to the side or front of the body, or through rapid movements like kicking, sprinting, or changing directions too quickly while running. Symptoms of an injured pectineus include pain, bruising, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness in the inner part of the thigh. Treatment for a pectineus injury involves protecting the injured area, minimising activities that use the muscle, and applying ice to reduce swelling and pain.
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Iliopsoas
The iliopsoas is a muscle in the anterior compartment of the thigh. It is made up of two separate muscles: the psoas major and the iliacus. These muscles arise in the pelvis and pass under the inguinal ligament into the anterior compartment of the thigh, where they form a common tendon. The psoas major and iliacus muscles work together to flex the hip and stabilise the hip and lower back during activities such as walking, running, and rising from a chair.
The iliopsoas is the major flexor of the hip joint, allowing for the bending of the hip towards the body, as in the action of marching. It also assists in lateral flexion or side-bending of the lower spine. When one foot is on the ground and the other is in the air, as in walking, the iliopsoas contracts to help stabilise the pelvis, hip, and lumbar spine.
The iliopsoas muscle is unique in that it arises from different places in the pelvic area and lumbar spine, resulting in a variety of functions. The iliacus muscle originates from the inner part of the pelvic bowl, specifically the upper two-thirds of the iliac fossa and the upper lip of the iliac crest. On the other hand, the psoas major arises from the lumbar spine. The two muscles blend to insert on the lesser trochanter of the femur, forming a common attachment point.
The iliopsoas muscle receives its blood supply from the iliolumbar artery, a branch of the internal iliac artery, with additional contributions from the obturator and femoral arteries. The iliopsoas muscle group is innervated by different nerves. The iliacus receives its nerve supply from the femoral nerve at lumbar levels two, three, and four, while the psoas major is innervated by direct branches of the lumbar plexus, specifically L1-L3.
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Frequently asked questions
The thigh muscles can be divided into three main groups, depending on their location: posterior, medial, and anterior. Posterior thigh muscles include the hamstrings, which are the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris. Medial thigh muscles are on the inside of the thigh and include the adductors. Anterior thigh muscles are at the front of the thigh and include the quadriceps, which are the vastus lateralis, tensor of the vastus intermedius, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris.
The muscles in the thighs help to bend and extend the hips and knees. They also move the legs inward toward each other and allow for flexion and rotation of the thighs at the hip joints. The hamstrings, for example, enable you to extend your hip and flex your knee. The adductors allow you to bring your thighs toward each other and assist with balance. The quadriceps allow you to flex your hip and extend your knee.
The thigh muscles are prone to injuries, especially in athletes. Running, jumping, and changing directions can strain the thigh muscles. One of the most common forms of thigh muscle injuries is a muscle strain, which occurs when a muscle is stretched beyond its limit and the muscle fibers tear. Strains in the hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly common due to their use in high-speed activities.
