Biceps Femoris

This anatomy page requires improvement to meet Physiopedia's quality standards. The reasons have been specified below this alert box. Please help improve this page if you can. #qualityalert #qualityalert_anatomy

Original Editor - Your name will be added here if you created the original content for this page.

Top Contributors - Sai Kripa, Evan Thomas, Kim Jackson, Joao Costa, Ahmed M Diab, 127.0.0.1, George Prudden and WikiSysop

Description

Biceps femoris is a muscle of the posterior compartment of the thigh, and lies in the posterolateral aspect. It arises proximally by two 'heads', termed the 'long head' and the 'short head'. It is part of the hamstrings.

Anatomy

Origin

• Long head: ischial tuberosity
• Short head: linea aspera and lateral supracondylar line of the femur

Insertion

• Lateral aspect of fibular head

Nerve Supply

• Long head: sciatic nerve (tibial division, L5-S2)
• Short head: sciatic nerve (common peroneal division)

Blood Supply

• Perforating branches of profunda femoris, inferior gluteal, and medial circumflex femoral arteries

Function

Actions

• Long head: flexes the knee, extends hip, laterally rotates lower leg when knee slightly flexed, assists in lateral rotation of the thigh when hip extended
• Short head: flexes the knee, laterally rotates lower leg when knee slightly flexed

Trigger Point Referral Pattern

• Pain referred from TrPs in the lower half of the biceps femoris (long or short head) focuses on the back of the knee and may extend up the posterolateral area of the thigh as far as the crease of the buttock.

References

References will automatically be added here, see adding references tutorial.