EN | DE | PT | ES Get help How to study Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart Diaphragm
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Head Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Teeth Oral cavity Pharynx Neck Nerves and vessels
Neuroanatomy
Cerebrum Subcortical structures Cerebellum and brainstem Ventricles, meninges and blood vessels Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper extremity Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower extremity
Histology
General
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Nervous tissue Muscle tissue Cartilage and bone
Systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Musculoskeletal system Respiratory system Excretory system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphatic system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system
Fetal tissues
Head and neck Trunk and limbs
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck
Head: Axial CT Brain: Axial MRI T2 Face: Axial MRI T2 Neck: Axial CT
Abdomen and pelvis
Abdomen: Axial MRI T2 Abdomen: Axial CT Female pelvis: Axial CT
Upper extremity
Shoulder: Axial MRI PD Wrist: Axial MRI T1
Lower extremity
Knee: Axial MRI
Thorax
Chest X-ray
AnatomyLower limbOverview
Main muscles of the lower limb

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

Go Premium

Main muscles of the lower limb: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more. Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver

Main muscles of the lower limb

Learning objectives:

This comprehensive study unit will help you to:

  1. Identify the muscle groups of the lower limb.
  2. Learn the key facts about the main muscles of the lower limb and their functions.
  3. Understand the anatomical relationships between those muscles.

Watch video

The muscles of the lower limb are organized into four groups:

  • Muscles of the hip, 
  • Muscles of the thigh, 
  • Muscles of the leg and 
  • Muscles of the foot.

These muscles act on the joints of the lower limb to enable the locomotion of our body. Each muscle group is respectively divided into subgroups, based on the location and specific actions of those muscles.

This video tutorial will introduce you to the anatomy and functions of the main muscles of the lower limb.

Take a quiz

Take our quiz to consolidate what you learned about this topic and resolve any potential weak spots.

Browse atlas

Review the anatomy of each muscle with our atlas galleries.

Muscles of the hip and thigh

Muscles of the leg and foot

Summary

Key points about the main muscles of the lower extremity
Muscles of the hip and thigh Groups of muscles: Superficial gluteal muscles, inner hip muscles, anterior compartment of thigh, posterior compartment of thigh, medial compartment of thigh
Movements at the hip joint: Flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, abduction, adduction
Movements at the knee joint: Flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation
Muscles of the leg and foot Groups of muscles: Anterior compartment of leg, lateral compartment of leg, posterior compartment of leg, medial plantar muscles, central plantar muscles, lateral plantar muscles, dorsal foot muscles
Movements at the ankle and subtalar joint: Dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, eversion, abduction, adduction
Movements the toe joints: Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction

Well done!

Related articles

Lower extremity anatomy Read article
3D muscle anatomy videos Read article
Learn the muscles of the leg fast with these quizzes, diagrams and labeling exercises Read article

Continue learning

Now that you’ve gotten familiar with the main muscle groups, continue your learning by focusing on individual muscle groups:

Muscles of the hip and thigh Explore study unit
Muscles of the leg Explore study unit
Muscles of the foot Explore study unit

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!