Muscles of the lower limb of man: structure, functions

Lower limbs (legs) carry a rather large load. Their task is to ensure the movement and support. Muscles of the lower extremities, the anatomy of which will be described in detail in the article, are considered the most powerful of all. Next, consider the musculature of the legs in more detail.

General information

The muscles of the lower limbs of a person are developed very well. They correct flexion, extension, reduction, retraction of the legs in the knee and hip joint, movement of the fingers and feet. Lower limbs include two muscle groups. To the first carry fibers of a field of a basin. The second group consists of the muscles of the free lower limb. Musculature of the pelvic region begins in fact from the pelvis, lumbar vertebrae and sacral area. Fibers are also fixed to the femur. The musculature of this part of the leg involves holding the body in a vertical position, flexing / flexing the hip joint, and coordinating the hip movements . The muscles of the free lower limb include segments of the thigh, foot and lower leg.

Musculature of thigh

Muscles of the lower limbs of man in this area are divided into three groups. Thus, the anterior, posterior and medial divisions are distinguished. Flexors are referred to first, and extensors to the second. The third group includes the muscles that lead the femoral part of the leg. With a considerable mass and length, these muscles of the lower extremities of a person can develop a greater force. Their activity extends to the knee and hip joints. Musculature of the hip performs dynamic and static tasks during walking and standing. As well as the segments of the pelvis, these fibers reach their maximum development due to the ability to erect.

Muscles of the lower extremities: anatomy. Anterior femoral muscle group

It includes a sartorius muscle. The fibers start from the anterior superior iliac bone. The segment crosses the femoral surface medially, from top to bottom obliquely. Attachment site - tuberosity of the tibia and fascia of the lower leg. At this point, the fibers form a tendon stretch. At the attachment site, it fuses with similar elements of the semitendinous and fine muscles, forming a fibrous triangular plate - "goose paw". Under her is her bag. This muscle of the lower extremities functions by turning the outside of the thigh, flexing it, and bringing the shin.

Four-headed fibers

They form a strong and large muscle. It has a large mass. The quadriceps muscle includes four segments: intermediate, medial, lateral and straight. Almost on all sides, the fibers adhere to the femur. In the distal third 4 heads form one tendon. It is attached to the tubercle of the tibia, the lateral margins and the apex of the patella.

Straight Fibers

They formed a muscle, starting from the anterior lower iliac bone. Between the fibers and bone is a synovial bag. The muscle lies down in front of the hip joint. Then it comes to the surface between the tailor segment and the fibers of the wide fascia. As a result, it occupies a position in front of the wide intermediate muscle. The segment ends with a tendon. It is fixed to the base of the patella. The rectus muscle is pinnate.

Lateral segment

This broad thigh muscle is considered to be the largest of the four. It starts from the interstitial line, gluteal tuberosity, a large trochanter, the upper part of the femoral rough line, the lateral septum. Fibers are fixed on the tendon of the rectus muscle of the lower limb, the tubercle of the tibia, the upper-lateral region of the patella. A part of tendon bundles continues into the supporting lateral ligament.

The medial segment

This broad muscle has a fairly extensive beginning. It departs from the lower half of the intervertebral, medial lip of the rough line, and also from the medial femoral septum. Fibers are fixed to the upper end of the patellar base and to the anterior side of the medial condyle on the tibia. The tendon formed by this muscle participates in the formation of the supporting medial ligament of the patella.

Intermediate fibers

They form a wide muscle, starting from the upper two thirds of the lateral and anterior sides of the body of the hip bone, from the lower part of the lateral lip of the rough thigh line and from the lateral intermuscular septum. It is attached to the base of the patella and together with the tendons of the straight, lateral and medial broad muscles of the femur participates in the formation of the common tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle.

Musculature of lower leg

It, like the other muscles of the lower extremity belt, is developed quite well. This is due to the tasks that it performs. These muscles of the lower limb are related to dynamics, statics and forward movement. Fibers extensively begin on the fascia, septa and bones. Their reduction coordinates the movement of the ankle and knee joints. Muscles of the lower limb in this part are divided into lateral, anterior and posterior groups. The latter include long flexors of the fingers: large and the rest, popliteal, soleus and gastrocnemius segments. Also in this group is the tibialis muscle. In the anterior section, the long extensors of the fingers are distinguished: large and other. There is also a tibial anterior muscle. In the lateral department, a long and short fibular segments are distinguished.

Back group

The musculature of this department forms a deep and superficial layer. The greatest development is noted in the triceps muscle. It lies superficially and forms the characteristic roundness of the shin. The deep layer is formed by a small popliteal and three long muscles: flexors of the fingers: large and other, as well as the posterior tibial. They are separated by a fascia fascia plate from the soleus segment.

Lateral group

It is formed by the peroneal muscles of the lower limb: short and long. They run along the lateral side of the shin. These muscles are located between the intermuscular septum (posterior and anterior) under the fascia.

Musculature of foot

Together with the tendons of the shin segments fixed to the bones, which refer to the lateral, anterior and posterior groups, there are own (short) fibers in the very lower part of the leg. Their beginning and attachment site is on the skeleton of the foot. Short muscles have complex functional and anatomical-topographical interrelations with those tendons of the shank musculature, the fixation sites of which are also located on the bones of this part of the leg.

Musculature of foot sole

In this area, the medial (in the region of the thumb), the lateral (in the region of the little finger) and the middle (intermediate) muscle group are distinguished. On the sole, the first and second sections, in contrast to those on the wrist, are represented by a smaller number of fibers. At the same time, the middle muscles on the foot are strengthened. In general, there are 14 short fibers on the sole. Three segments belong to the medial group, two form lateral. There are 13 muscles in the middle section: 7 interosseous and 4 worm-like, as well as a square and short flexor. In maintaining the vaults, a significant role is assigned to the musculature not only of the foot itself, but also of the shin. Due to this, the tension of the ligament apparatus is significantly reduced.

Furrows and channels

They go through nerves and large vessels of the legs. In the femoral part, they are located between the medial and anterior groups, in the knee joint region - in the popliteal fossa, on the sole - between the middle and lateral, and between the medial medulla, on the tibia - between the muscles of the posterior surface.

Pelvic muscles of lower limbs: table

This zone has a practically motionless junction with the sacral region of the spine. In this regard, the musculature, which drives it, is absent. However, the activity of the hip joint and spinal column controls these muscles of the lower limbs of a person. The table below summarizes all this information.

Pain in the legs

Soreness in the muscles can develop due to various pathologies. In particular, they include:

• Diseases of the spine (sciatica and radiculitis, neuritis and neuralgia).
• Pathologies of bones, ligaments and joints (arthrosis, arthritis, bursitis, fascia, tendonitis, flat feet, fractures, tumors).
• Direct muscle damage (ligament ruptures, myositis, fibromyalgia, convulsions, overwork and overexertion).
• Disturbances in metabolic processes and pathology of cellulose (cellulite, obesity and others).

With paratenonites and myoentesites, there are pains in the pulling character in the muscles. They arise due to inflammatory damage to the fibers and ligaments of the legs. The cause of pathologies is overstrain of muscles against a background of intense loads. Accompanying the disease formation of microtraumas musculature and ligaments. As additional risk factors are supercooling, chronic pathologies, general fatigue.

Finally

As you know, muscles take an active part in the outflow of blood through the veins. In the process of training the muscles simultaneously increases the mass of the myocardium. This allows you to carry significant loads. In the process of muscle activity, the body releases biologically active compounds - endorphins. They contribute to the adaptation of tissues and organs to various negative influences and provoke a surge of energy and strength. Against the background of physical activity, stimulation of the organs of the body's defense system occurs. In this regard, experts recommend that you regularly exercise, exercise, perform gymnastic exercises, make walks. These activities are of special importance for the elderly. When practicing sports in childhood, the correct posture is formed, the skeleton and musculature are proportionally developing.