Semitendinosus – Attachments, Actions & Innervation

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

The semitendinosus is a hamstring muscle of the posterior compartment of thigh.

image descriptionSemitendinosus

Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with semitendinosus highlighted. Labelled muscles: gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus maximus, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with semitendinosus highlighted. Labelled muscles: adductor magnus, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with semitendinosus highlighted. Labelled muscles: semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region. Labelled muscles: semitendinosus
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image descriptionAttachments of Semitendinosus: Origin & Insertion

Origin: (proximal attachments)
a. Ischial tuberosity of os coxa.

Insertion: (distal attachments)
a.Proximal tibia, medial to tibial tuberosity (part of pes anserinus).

Learn the anatomy of the semitendinosus muscle faster and more efficiently thanks to these 3d muscle anatomy videos.

Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with semitendinosus highlighted. Labelled muscles: gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus maximus, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with semitendinosus highlighted. Labelled muscles: semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region. Labelled muscles: semitendinosus
Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region. Showing origin of semitendinosus
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Actions of Semitendinosus on the leg (tibia & fibula):

a. image descriptionFlexes leg at knee.

b. Medially rotates leg at knee when knee is flexed.

c. It also extends thigh at hip.

Nerve to Muscle and its Spinal Segment:

a.Tibial (nerve) portion of sciatic nerve (L5, S1, S2).

An Overview of the Posterior Muscles of the Thigh:

Test yourself image 1, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region showing all superficial muscles with no labels.
Test yourself image 2, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region, all superficial muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus maximus, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 3, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, quadratus femoris, adductor magnus, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 4, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, piriformis, quadratus femoris, adductor magnus, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 5, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus minimus, piriformis, quadratus femoris, adductor magnus, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 6, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- piriformis, quadratus femoris, adductor magnus, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 7, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- piriformis, adductor magnus, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 8, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- adductor magnus, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 9, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- adductor magnus, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 10, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- adductor magnus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 11, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 12, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head.
Test yourself image 13, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- semitendinosus, biceps femoris: long head.
Test yourself image 14, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-semitendinosus
Test yourself image 15, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled-semitendinosus origin
Test yourself image 16 showing skeleton of posterior thigh and gluteal region.
Test yourself while observing the Semitendinosus muscle
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