Where it is
The lateral and rear part of the thigh, from the ischium to the stifle and hock.
- Layer
- Muscles
- System
- Muscles
- Region
- Hind limb
What it is and what it does
The largest of the muscles at the back of the thigh (the “hamstrings”). It arises from the ischiatic tuberosity and the sacrotuberous ligament and inserts widely on the fascia lata and crural fascia, on the tibia and, through the calcaneal tendon, on the calcaneus. It supports the body in the stance phase, flexes the stifle at the start of the swing and extends the hock; together with the adductor it is the strongest extensor of the hip.
Worth remembering
It supports the body when the leg is on the ground and is, together with the adductor, the strongest extensor of the hip.
Names
- Latin term: musculus biceps femoris.
- In Romanian: Bicepsul femural (Romanian page).
In the atlas lessons
Muscles: what moves what (5 min):
The engine of propulsion is at the back: the hip extensors (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, gluteals) push the body forward; the quadriceps extends the stifle; the gastrocnemius extends the hock through the common calcaneal tendon.