In this pdf-note, we’ll start with the borders of the lower limb:
The posterior border passes through the coccyx and the lateral margins of the sacrum
The lateral border is the iliac crest
The anterior border passes through the inguinal ligament and the pubic symphysis


There are several regions within the lower limb:
Gluteal region (regio glutealis)
Femoral region (regio femoralis)
Knee region (regio genus)
Leg region (regio cruralis)
Ankle region (regio talocruralis)
Foot region (regio pedis)


Within these areas, the muscles of the lower limb are located.
These include:
Pelvic girdle muscles
Muscles of the free part of lower limb
The muscles of the free part of the lower limb are divided into:
Thigh muscles
Leg muscles
Foot muscles
The leg muscles form three groups:
The anterior group consists of the extensors of the foot
The posterior group consists of the flexors and supinators of the foot
The lateral group consists of the foot abductor muscles The posterior group is divided into two layers.
The superficial layer includes the following muscles:
Triceps surae muscle (m. triceps surae), which consists of two separate muscles:
Triceps surae muscle (m. triceps surae) Triceps surae muscle (m. triceps surae) Gastrocnemius muscle (m. gastrocnemius), which has two heads: lateral and medial.
Gastrocnemius muscle (m. gastrocnemius) – caput mediale Gastrocnemius muscle (m. gastrocnemius) – caput laterale Gastrocnemius muscle
(m. gastrocnemius)Origin:
Lateral head (caput laterale) is the lateral epicondyle of the femur
Medial head (caput mediale) is the medial epicondyle of the femur
Insertion: both heads are connected into a common belly, which then continues to the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon, which inserts into the calcaneal tubercle of the calcaneus.
Function: flexes the leg, provides plantar flexion of the foot
Innervation: tibial nerve (L4-S2)
Blood supply: posterior tibial artery
Soleus muscle (m. soleus)
Soleus muscle (m. soleus) Soleus muscle (m. soleus) Soleus muscle (m. soleus) Soleus muscle
(m. soleus)Origin: soleal line of the tibia, head of the fibula
Insertion: tendon of this muscle connects with the tendon of the gastrocnemius forming the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon, which inserts into the calcaneal tubercle of the calcaneus
Function: flexes the leg, provides plantar flexion of the foot
Innervation: tibial nerve (L4-S2)
Blood supply: posterior tibial artery
Plantaris muscle (m. plantaris), which is rudimentary
Plantaris muscle (m. plantaris) Plantaris muscle (m. plantaris) Plantaris muscle (m. plantaris) Plantaris muscle
(m. plantaris)Origin: lateral epicondyle of the femur, oblique popliteal ligament
Insertion: the muscle is either woven into the Achilles tendon or inserts on its own into the calcaneal tubercle of the calcaneus
Function: flexes the leg and the foot (plantar flexion), stretches the capsule of the knee joint
Innervation: tibial nerve (L4-S2)
Blood supply: popliteal artery
The deep layer includes the following muscles:
Popliteus muscle (m. popliteus)
Popliteus muscle (m. popliteus) Popliteus muscle (m. popliteus) Popliteus muscle (m. popliteus) Popliteus muscle
(m. popliteus)Origin: lateral epicondyle of the femur, capsule of the knee joint
Insertion: posterior surface of the tibia
Function: flexes the leg, pronates the leg, stretches the capsule of the knee joint
Innervation: tibial nerve (L4-S2)
Blood supply: popliteal artery
Flexor digitorum longus muscle (m. flexor digitorum longus)
Flexor digitorum longus muscle (m. flexor digitorum longus) Flexor digitorum longus muscle (m. flexor digitorum longus) Flexor digitorum longus muscle (m. flexor digitorum longus) Flexor digitorum longus muscle
(m. flexor digitorum longus)Origin: posterior surface of the body of the tibia, deep fascia of the leg, posterior intermuscular septum of the leg
Insertion: divides into 4 tendons, which insert into the plantar surface of the distal phalanges of toes 2-5
Function: flexes the distal phalanges of toes 2-5, participates in plantar flexion of the foot
Innervation: tibial nerve (L4-S2)
Blood supply: posterior tibial artery
Flexor hallucis longus muscle (m. flexor hallucis longus)
Flexor hallucis longus muscle (m. flexor hallucis longus) Flexor hallucis longus muscle (m. flexor hallucis longus) Flexor hallucis longus muscle
(m. flexor hallucis longus)Origin: inferior two thirds of the body of the fibula, interosseous membrane of the leg
Insertion: plantar surface of the distal phalange of the great toe
Function: flexes the great toe, participates in supination and adduction of the foot
Innervation: tibial nerve (L4-S2)
Blood supply: posterior tibial artery, fibular artery
Tibialis posterior muscle (m. tibialis posterior)


(m. tibialis posterior)
Origin: lateral condyle of the tibia, superior two thirds of the shaft of the tibia, posterior surface of the shaft of the fibula, interosseous membrane of the leg
Insertion: tuberosity of the navicular bone, sphenoidal bones, base of the 4th metatarsal
Function: flexes the foot (plantar flexion), adducts and supinates the foot
Innervation: tibial nerve (L4-S2)
Blood supply: posterior tibial artery
Muscles of the leg
- Gluteal region
- regio glutealis
- Femoral region
- regio femoralis
- Knee region
- regio genus
- Leg region
- regio cruralis
- Ankle region
- regio talocruralis
- Foot region
- regio pedis
- Triceps surae muscle
- m. triceps surae
- Gastrocnemius muscle
- m. gastrocnemius
- Soleus muscle
- m. soleus
- Plantans muscle
- m. plantaris
- Popliteus muscle
- m. popliteus
- Flexor digitorum longus muscle
- m. flexor digitorum longus
- Flexor hallucis longu muscle
- m. flexor hallucis longus
- Tibialis posterior muscle
- m. tibialis posterior