2. The thigh is divided into 2 physical
compartments divided by the
Medial and Lateral Intermuscular Septa
-Anterior compartment
-Posterior compartment
3. The Posterior Compartment of the thigh has
two functionally different sets of muscles
•The Adductors
•The Hamstrings
The Adductor Muscles do not have a distinct fascial
boundary, but are continuous with the muscles of the
posterior compartment also known as the Hamstrings
4. In total the thigh is divided into
3 functional compartments
1. Anterior or Extensor compartment
1. Medial or Adductor compartment
1. Posterior or Flexor compartment
13. The Hamstring Muscles of the Posterior
Compartment of the Thigh
There are 3 muscles
- Biceps Femoris
- Semitendinosus
- Semimembranosus
14. The Hamstring Muscles of the Posterior
Compartment of the Thigh
There are 3 muscles
- Biceps Femoris
- Semitendinosus
- Semimembranosus
These muscles cross the Hip and Knee joints and coordinate
extension of the Hip with flexion of the Knee
16. The Hamstring muscles
arise from the
Ischial Tuberosity
posterior aspect
The Hamstrings lie
beneath the
Gluteus Maximus muscle
17. There are two muscles on
the medial aspect of the
posterior thigh
18. Semimembranosus
Inserts onto the posterior aspect
of the Medial Tibial Condyle
Originates from the
Superior Lateral Quadrant
of the
Ischial Tuberosity
23. Biceps Femoris
The Long Head originates from a
combined tendon with the
semimembranosus on the superior medial
quadrant of the ischial tuberosity
24. Biceps Femoris
The Long Head originates from a
combined tendon with the
semimembranosus on the superior medial
quadrant of the ischial tuberosity
The Short Head arises from the
Femoral Shaft
-middle third of the Linea Aspera
-Lateral Supracondylar Ridge
26. Biceps Femoris
The two muscles unite to form an
aponeurosis that inserts onto
-fibular head
-lateral collateral ligament of the knee
-lateral tibial condyle
29. At its origin the
Sciatic Nerve is the thickest
nerve in the body - 2cm
30. At its origin the
Sciatic Nerve is the thickest
nerve in the body - 2cm
It exits the pelvis through the
Greater Sciatic Foramen
and runs down the
posterior aspect of the thigh
31. The Sciatic Nerve has two components
-Tibial Division
-Common Peroneal Division
The level at which the Sciatic nerve
divides into its component parts is
variable
It is usually at the middle to lower third
of the thigh, but can be as high as the
origin of the sciatic nerve itself
32. The Hamstring muscles are
supplied by the
Sciatic Nerve
The Short Head of Biceps
is supplied by the
Common Peroneal Division
33. Hamstring muscles are
supplied by the
Sciatic Nerve
Semimembranosus
Semitendinosus
Long Head of Biceps Femoris
Are supplied by the Tibial Division
34. The Tibial Division of the
Sciatic Nerve
also supplies the
Hamstring portion of
Adductor Magnus
36. Semimembranosus
Origin Superior lateral quadrant of
posterior surface ischial
tuberosity
Insertion Posterior surface of the medial
tibial condyle
Action Extends hip, flexes and medially
rotates the knee
Nerve Supply Tibial portion of sciatic nerve
(L5, S1)
Blood Supply Perforating branches of profunda
femoris artery, inferior gluteal
artery, and the superior muscular
branches of popliteal artery
Posterior thigh
37. Semitendinosus
Origin Superior medial quadrant,
posterior surface ischial tuberosity
Insertion Superior aspect, medial tibial shaft
Action Extends hip, flexes and medially
rotates knee
Nerve Supply Tibial portion sciatic nerve (L5, S1)
Blood Supply Perforating branches of profunda
femoris artery, inferior gluteal
artery, superior muscular branches
of popliteal artery
Posterior thigh
38. Posterior Thigh
Biceps Femoris
Origin Long Head: Superior medial quadrant
of the posterior surface of the ischial
tuberosity
Short Head: Middle third linea aspera,
lateral supracondylar ridge of femur
Insertion Fibular head, with extensions to lateral
collateral ligament and lateral tibial
condyle
Action Flexes the knee, rotates tibia laterally,
extends the hip joint
Nerve Supply Long head: tibial component of sciatic
nerve, Short head: common peroneal
component of sciatic nerve (L5, S1)
Blood Supply Perforating branches of profunda
femoris artery, inferior gluteal artery,
superior muscular branches of
popliteal artery