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Biceps femoris

Contents

Anatomy pictures

Biceps femoris
Biceps femoris
Biceps femoris - lateral

Referred pain pattern

Biceps femoris - pain pattern

Muscle type

  • Postural

Symptoms

  • Pain or limping while walking
  • Pain in buttocks, upper thigh or knee when sitting
  • Sciatica or pseudo-sciatica
  • Inability of complete range of motion in extension of knee
  • 'Growing pains' in children
  • Pelvic distortions and SI-joint dysfunction
  • Tendinitis or bursitis at attachment

Muscular attachments

Insertions of biceps femoris

Origin of biceps femoris

Videoes

Short version

 

Detailed version

Important functions

  • Gives support to the sacroiliac joint by giving a stabilizing influence via the sacrotuberous ligament (Source 1)

Notes of clinical importance

  • Releasing or relaxing a tense Hamstrings might put an unstable sacroiliac joint at risk by removing the hamstrings' protective influence (the Hamstrings stabilizes the SIJ joint) (Source 1)
  •  The 4 major muscles that creates the stability for the SIJ joint is the Erector Spinae, Biceps Femoris, Latissimus dorsi and Gluteus Maximus (Source 2)

Myofascial lines

Dorsal line:

Spiral line

Anatomy

Position

  • Superficial

Origin

  • Tuberositas ischiadicum (long head)
  • Sacrotuberous ligament (long head)
  • Lateral aspect of linea aspera (short head)
  • Proximal 2/3 of linea supracondylaris (short head)
  • Lateral septum intermusculare (short head)

Insertion

  • Lateral side of caput fibula
  • Condylus lateralis tibia

Main function

  • Knee:
    • Flexion
  • Hip:
    • Extension
  • Pelvis:
    • Posterior tilt

Secondary function

  • Knee
    • Lateral rotation
  • Hip
    • Adduction
    • Lateral rotation

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental
    • L5-S2
  • Peripheral
    • Long head from nervus tibialis
    • Short head from nervus fibularis

Arterial supply

  • Inferior gluteal artery
  • Deep femoral artery
  • Obturator artery
  • Popliteal artery
 
 
 
 

Sources

  1. Van Wingerden J.-P., Vleeming A., Kleinvensink G., Stoekart R.. The role of the hamstrings in pelvic and spinal function. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1997.
  2. Kuchera M. Movement, stability and low back pain. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1997.