
The hamstring muscles are a group of three long muscles located in the posterior compartment of the thigh, between the hip and the knee. They are the biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles. These muscles are used for essential lower limb activities such as walking, running, climbing, jumping and squatting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Posterior compartment of the thigh |
| Number of muscles | Three |
| Muscle names | Biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus |
| Origin point | Ischial tuberosity |
| Attachment points | Proximal parts of the tibia and fibula |
| Innervation | Tibial and common fibular (peroneal) divisions of the sciatic nerve (L4-S3)> |
| Function | Flex the knee joint and extend the hip |
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What You'll Learn
- Hamstring muscles are located in the posterior compartment of the thigh
- They are made up of three muscles: the biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus
- Hamstring muscles start at the bottom of the pelvis at the ischial tuberosity
- They cross the hip and knee joints
- Hamstring injuries are common in sports

Hamstring muscles are located in the posterior compartment of the thigh
The hamstring muscles are located in the posterior compartment of the thigh. They are a group of three long muscles: the biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus. These muscles are closely related to each other as they share a common origin point, and they all attach to the proximal parts of the tibia and fibula. They are innervated by the tibial and common fibular (peroneal) divisions of the sciatic nerve (L4-S3).
The hamstrings are essential for lower limb activities such as walking, running and climbing. They are also critical for more explosive actions such as sprinting and jumping. The primary function of the hamstrings is to flex the knee joint and extend the hip.
The word 'ham' comes from the Old English 'ham' or 'hom', meaning the hollow or bend of the knee. The word 'string' in 'hamstring' refers to tendons, and the hamstrings' string-like tendons can be felt on either side of the back of the knee.
The hamstring muscle fibres join with the tough, connective tissue of the hamstring tendons near the points where the tendons attach to bones. Hamstring injuries are common in sports, and they can be avoided by stretching, warming up and not pushing through pain in the hip, knee and leg.
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They are made up of three muscles: the biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus
The hamstring muscles are located in the posterior compartment of the thigh, between the hip and the knee. They are made up of three muscles: the biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus. These muscles are closely related to each other as they share a common origin point, the ischial tuberosity at the bottom of the pelvis, and they all attach to the proximal parts of the tibia and fibula. The hamstrings are innervated by the tibial and common fibular (peroneal) divisions of the sciatic nerve (L4-S3).
The biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles work together to flex the knee joint and extend the hip, enabling essential lower limb activities such as walking, running, climbing, and jumping. They are also important for standing and other leg movements such as squats. The hamstrings are skeletal muscles, which means they are voluntary muscles that you can control.
Injuries to the hamstrings are common, especially among sportspeople, and can range from mild strains to more severe tears. To avoid hamstring injuries, it is important to stretch and warm up properly before engaging in physical activity, and to listen to your body and not push through pain in the hip, knee, or leg.
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Hamstring muscles start at the bottom of the pelvis at the ischial tuberosity
The hamstring muscles are a group of three long muscles located at the back of the thigh, between the hip and the knee. They are the biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles. The hamstrings start at the bottom of the pelvis at the ischial tuberosity and end at the lower leg. They cross the hip and knee joints and act upon them.
The primary function of the hamstrings is to flex the knee joint and extend the hip, enabling some of the essential lower limb activities such as walking, running, climbing, and jumping. Hamstring muscles are skeletal muscles, meaning they are voluntary muscles that you control. They are also closely related to each other as they share a common origin point, and they all attach to the proximal parts of the tibia and fibula.
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They cross the hip and knee joints
The hamstring muscles are located at the back of the thigh, between the hip and the knee. They cross the hip and knee joints and act upon them. The primary function of the hamstrings is to flex the knee joint and extend the hip, enabling some of the essential lower limb activities such as walking, running, climbing, squatting and jumping.
The hamstrings are a group of three long muscles: the biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles. They are closely related to each other as they share a common origin point, and they all attach to the proximal parts of the tibia and fibula. They are innervated by the tibial and common fibular (peroneal) divisions of the sciatic nerve (L4-S3).
The hamstring muscle complex occupies the posterior compartment of the thigh. Hamstring injuries are common in elite and amateur sportspeople. They are the most common sports injury. Stretching, warming up and not pushing through pain in your hip, knee and leg are the best ways to avoid injuring your hamstrings.
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Hamstring injuries are common in sports
Due to their role in these activities, hamstring injuries are common in elite and amateur sports. Stretching, warming up and not pushing through pain in the hip, knee and leg are recommended to avoid hamstring injuries. Treatment for hamstring injuries ranges from conservative management to operative fixation. Uninjured hamstring tendons can even be used as autografts in knee ligament reconstruction surgery.
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Frequently asked questions
The hamstring muscles are located in the posterior compartment of the thigh.
The hamstrings are a group of three long muscles: the biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles.
The hamstrings are responsible for flexing the knee joint and extending the hip, enabling essential lower limb activities such as walking, running and climbing.
The hamstring muscle complex is made up of skeletal muscles, which are voluntary muscles that you control.







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