Muscles of the Lower Extremity

Gluteus maximus

Extends and laterally rotates thigh; adducts the hip

Gluteus medius

Medially rotates thigh; abducts the hip

Gluteus minimus

Medially rotates thigh; abducts the hip

Tensor fasciae latae

Abducts, medially rotates, and flexes thigh; stabilizes the hips

Piriformis

Abducts and laterally rotates thigh at the hip

Obturator internus

Abducts and laterally rotates thigh at the hip

Gemellus superior

Laterally rotates thigh at the hip

Gemellus inferior

Laterally rotates thigh at the hip

Psoas major

Flexes thigh at the hip; flexes vertebral column

Iliacus

Flexes thigh at the hip

Pectineus

Adducts and flexes thigh at the hip

Adductor longus

Adducts and flexes thigh at the hip; assists in medial rotation

Adductor magnus

Adducts and extends thigh at the hip; assists in medial rotation

Gracilis

Adducts thigh at the hip and flexes leg at the knee; assists in medial rotation

Sartorius

Flexes, abducts, and laterally rotates thigh at the hip; flexes knee

Rectus femoris

Extends leg at the knee and flexes thigh at the hip; part of the quadriceps group

Vastus medialis

Extends leg at the knee; part of the quadriceps group

Vastus lateralis

Extends leg at the knee; part of the quadriceps group

Psoas major

Flexes thigh at the hip; flexes vertebral column

Gracilis

Adducts thigh at the hip and flexes leg at the knee; assists in medial rotation

Vastus medialis

Extends leg at the knee; part of the quadriceps group

Biceps femoris

Flexes leg at the knee and extends thigh at the hip; belongs to the hamstring group

Semitendinosus

Flexes leg at the knee and extends thigh at the hip; belongs to the hamstring group

Semimembranosus

Flexes leg at the knee and extends thigh at the hip; belongs to the hamstring group

Gastrocnemius

Plantar flexion of ankle

Gastrocnemius

Plantar flexion of ankle

Soleus

Plantar flexion of ankle

Soleus

Plantar flexion of ankle

Flexor digitorum longus

Flexes lateral four toes; plantar flexion and inversion of foot

Flexor hallucis longus

Flexes big toe; plantar flexion and inversion of foot

Tibialis anterior

Dorsiflexion of foot at the ankle; inversion of foot

Extensor digitorum longus

Extends the lateral four toes; dorsiflexion of ankle and eversion of foot

Extensor digitorum longus

Extends the lateral four toes; dorsiflexion of ankle and eversion of foot

Peroneus longus

Plantar flexion and eversion of foot; stabilizes the lateral ankle and arch of the foot

Peroneus longus

Plantar flexion and eversion of foot; stabilizes the lateral ankle and arch of the foot

Peroneus brevis

Plantar flexion and eversion of foot

Peroneus brevis

Plantar flexion and eversion of foot

Peroneus longus

Plantar flexion and eversion of foot; stabilizes the lateral ankle and arch of the foot

Peroneus brevis

Plantar flexion and eversion of foot

Soleus

Plantar flexion of ankle

Psoas major

Flexes thigh at the hip; flexes vertebral column