Muscles in the

Posterior Compartment
of the Thigh

J Godwin Issac
Research Scholar – Anatomy
SRM University
 Hamstrings
The muscles in the
posterior compartment of the
thigh are collectively known as
the hamstrings. They consist of
the biceps femoris,
semitendinosus and
semimembranosus, which form
prominent tendons medially and
laterally at the back of the knee.
As group, these muscles
act to extend at the hip, and flex
at the knee. They are innervated
by the sciatic nerve (L4-S3).
 Biceps Femoris
The biceps femoris has two heads (long head and short head)
and is the most lateral of the muscles in the posterior thigh. The
common tendon of the two heads can be felt laterally within the
popliteal fossa (posterior knee region).
• Origin: The long head originates from the ischial tuberosity of the
pelvis. The short head originates from the linea aspera on posterior
surface of the femur.
• Insertion: Together, the heads form a tendon, which inserts into the
head of the fibula.
• Actions: Main action is flexion at the knee. It also extends the thigh
at the hip, and laterally rotates at the hip and knee.
• Nerve supply: Long head innervated by the tibial part of the sciatic
nerve, whereas the short head is innervated by the common fibular
part of the sciatic nerve.
 Semitendinosus
The semitendinosus is a largely tendinous muscle. It
is situated on the medial aspect of the posterior thigh and
superficial to the semimembranosus.
• Origin: Originates from the ischial tuberosity of the
pelvis.
• Insertion: Attaches to the medial surface of the tibia.
• Actions: Flexion of the leg at the knee joint. Extension
of thigh at the hip. Medially rotates the thigh at the hip
joint and the leg at the knee joint.
• Nerve supply: Tibial part of the sciatic nerve.
 Semimembranosus
The semimembranosus muscle is flattened and broad. It
is located deep to the semitendinosus on the medial aspect of
the posterior thigh.
• Origin: Originates from the ischial tuberosity (more
superiorly than the origin of the semitendinosus and biceps
femoris).
• Insertion: Attaches to the medial tibial condyle.
• Actions: Flexion of the leg at the knee joint. Extension of
thigh at the hip. Medially rotates the thigh at the hip joint
and the leg at the knee joint.
• Nerve supply: Tibial part of the sciatic nerve.
 Applied anatomy
Hamstring Avulsion Fracture of the Ischial Tuberosity
An avulsion fracture occurs when a fragment of bone attached to a ligament or
tendon gets pulled away from the main mass of the bone.
The muscles of the posterior thigh all originate from the ischial tuberosity of the
pelvis. In rare cases (predominantly adolescents), sudden and forceful contraction of
the hamstrings can result in an avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity.
Patients with this injury often experience a sudden pain in the posterior thigh,
followed by an inability to walk. It can be associated with sciatic nerve damage (the
nerve lies in close location and could be compressed by a displaced fragment of bone).
Treatment of avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity can be conservative or
surgical:
• Conservative: Rest, pain control and physiotherapy.
• Surgical: Open reduction and internal fixation (setting the fracture in the correct
position and then fixing in place with metalwork).