Lower limb
Lower limb anatomy
Hip, thigh, leg, and foot — gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings, and the calf.
65 structures
Muscles
38Adductor brevis
Deep adductor
MuscleAdductor longus
Adducts the thigh
MuscleAdductor magnus
Two-part composite adductor
MuscleBiceps femoris
Lateral hamstring
MuscleExtensor digitorum longus
Extends the lateral four toes
MuscleExtensor hallucis longus
Extends the big toe
MuscleFibularis brevis
Everts the foot
MuscleFibularis longus
Everts the foot, supports arches
MuscleFibularis tertius
Dorsiflexes and everts (variable)
MuscleFlexor digitorum longus
Flexes the lateral four toes
MuscleFlexor hallucis longus
Flexes the big toe, push-off
MuscleGastrocnemius
Superficial calf, crosses the knee
MuscleGluteus maximus
Powerful hip extensor
MuscleGluteus medius
Hip abductor and pelvic stabiliser
MuscleGluteus minimus
Deep hip abductor
MuscleGracilis
Medial thigh, crosses the knee
MuscleIliacus
Hip flexor (with psoas)
MuscleInferior gemellus
Lateral rotator (with obturator internus)
MuscleObturator externus
Lateral rotator (medial thigh group)
MuscleObturator internus
Lateral rotator of the hip
MusclePectineus
Flexes and adducts the hip
MusclePiriformis
Key landmark of the gluteal region
MusclePlantaris
Vestigial calf muscle
MusclePopliteus
"Unlocks" the knee
MusclePsoas major
Chief hip flexor
MuscleQuadratus femoris
Strong lateral rotator
MuscleRectus femoris
Quadriceps — crosses hip and knee
MuscleSartorius
Longest muscle in the body
MuscleSemimembranosus
Medial hamstring, broad tendon
MuscleSemitendinosus
Medial hamstring, long tendon
MuscleSoleus
Calf "peripheral heart"
MuscleSuperior gemellus
Lateral rotator (with obturator internus)
MuscleTensor fasciae latae
Tenses the IT tract
MuscleTibialis anterior
Chief dorsiflexor
MuscleTibialis posterior
Chief invertor, supports arch
MuscleVastus intermedius
Deep quadriceps head
MuscleVastus lateralis
Largest quadriceps head
MuscleVastus medialis
Stabilises the patella (VMO)
MuscleBones
8Calcaneus
Heel bone — largest tarsal bone
BoneFemur
Thigh bone — longest, strongest bone
BoneFibula
Lateral leg bone
BoneHip bone (os coxae)
Ilium + ischium + pubis
BoneMetatarsals
Five bones of the forefoot
BonePatella
Kneecap — largest sesamoid bone
BoneTalus
Ankle bone transmitting body weight
BoneTibia
Shin bone — weight-bearing leg bone
BoneNerves
11Common fibular (peroneal) nerve
Most commonly injured leg nerve
NerveDeep fibular (peroneal) nerve
Anterior compartment of the leg
NerveFemoral nerve
Anterior thigh nerve
NerveInferior gluteal nerve
Nerve to gluteus maximus
NerveObturator nerve
Medial thigh nerve
NervePudendal nerve
Main nerve of the perineum
NerveSaphenous nerve
Largest cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve
NerveSciatic nerve
Largest nerve in the body
NerveSuperficial fibular (peroneal) nerve
Lateral compartment of the leg
NerveSuperior gluteal nerve
Hip abductors
NerveTibial nerve
Posterior leg and sole
NerveVessels
8Anterior tibial artery
Anterior compartment of the leg
VesselDeep femoral (profunda femoris) artery
Chief supply of the thigh
VesselDorsalis pedis artery
Artery of the dorsum of the foot
VesselExternal iliac artery
Becomes the femoral artery
VesselFemoral artery
Main artery of the lower limb
VesselGreat saphenous vein
Longest vein in the body
VesselPopliteal artery
Artery behind the knee
VesselPosterior tibial artery
Posterior compartment of the leg
Vessel