Summary Muscles of the lower limb

Muscles of the pelvic girdle
(Common origin – hip bones, insertion – femur, extends/abducts thigh)




Internal pelvic muscles:
• Iliacus m.
o Origin- iliac fossa
o Insertion- lesser trochanter of the femur via iliopsoas tendon

, o Action- thigh flexion
o Makes iliopsoas muscle with psoas major m.


• Piriformis m.
o Origin - anterior surface of the sacrum
o Insertion – greater trochanter
o Action-abducts thigh
o Tightening/ shortening – can compress & irritate the sciatic nerve causing pain
and paresthesia (tingling and numbness) in the buttocks and posterior thigh


• Obturatorius internus m.
o Origin- Obturator membrane
o Insertion- the femur
o Action-abducts thigh


• Coccygeus m.
o Very small internal pelvic m.



External pelvic muscles:
• Gluteus maximus m.
o Origin- posterior surface of the ileum (from glutael lines)
o Insertion-gluteal tuberosity of the femur)
o Action-thigh extension


• Gluteus medius m.
o Origin – posterior surface of the ileum (from gluteal lines)
o Insertion – greater trochanter
o Action-abducts thigh


• Gluteus minimus m.
o Origin- posterior surface of the ileum (from gluteal lines)
o Insertion- gluteal tuberosity of femur, greater trochanter

, o Action-abducts thigh


• Quadratus femoris m.
o Origin – ischial tuberosity
o Insertion - greater trochanter
o Action-external rotation


• Gemmelus superior and inferior mm.
o Origin – Ischium
o Insertion – trochanteric fossa
o Action-external rotation
o Between them: obturator internus m.


• Obturatorius externus m.
o Origin –Obturator membrane
o Insertion - the femur
o Action-supination of thigh


• Tensor fasciae latae m.
o Origin –Anterior superior iliac spine
o Insertion – tractus iliotibialis
o Action- thigh flexion