Human Anatomy and Physiology : Identifying Muscles of the Lower Extremities

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

Which of the following muscles attaches to the sacrobtuberous ligament?

Possible Answers:

Adductor magnus

Gemellus superior

Gluteus medius

Biceps femoris, long head

Correct answer:

Biceps femoris, long head

Explanation:

The long head of the biceps femoris attaches to the ischial tuberosity, and has attachments to the sacrotuberous ligament. Through this attachment, it is thought that the long head of the biceps femoris helps stabilize the sacroiliac joint. Although the gluteus maximus attaches to the sacrotuberous ligament, the gluteus medius does not, and neither do the gemellus superior nor the adductor magnus.

Example Question #42 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

Which of the following is a hip extensor?

Possible Answers:

Biceps femoris

Piriformis

Rectus femoris

Vastus intermedius

Quadratus femoris

Correct answer:

Biceps femoris

Explanation:

The biceps femoris muscle forms part of the hamstrings, and consists of a long and short head. Both heads perform knee flexion, and the long head is involved in hip extension as it originates in the pelvis.

Quadratus femoris is a strong external rotator and adductor of the thigh. Piriformis is a lateral rotator, and laterally rotates the femur, abducting it, during hip extension. The quadriceps consist of rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. The quadriceps flex the hip and extend the knee.

Example Question #43 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

Which of the following muscles does not cross the hip joint?

Possible Answers:

Semimembranosus

Short head of biceps femoris

Semitendinosus

Long head of biceps femoris

All of these muscles cross the hip joint

Correct answer:

Short head of biceps femoris

Explanation:

The hamstring muscles consist of three posterior muscles and their tendons (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris). The hamstring muscles are responsible for knee flexion and hip extension. The semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and the long head of biceps femoris all originate at the ischial tuberosity (having these muscles cross the hip joint), while the short head of biceps femoris originate at the linea aspera and the lateral supracondylar line of the femur. 

Example Question #44 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

Which of the following muscles does not insert into the greater trochanter?

Possible Answers:

Gluteus minimus

Gluteus medius

All of these insert on the greater trochanter

Piriformis

Iliopsoas

Correct answer:

Iliopsoas

Explanation:

The psaos major and the iliacus muscles are distinct in the abdomen and unite at the level of the inguinal ligament to form the iliopsoas muscle in the thigh. The iliopsoas muscle crosses the hip joint and inserts on to the lesser trochanter of the femur. The iliopsoas is involved in flexion and lateral rotation of the thigh. It is the strongest of the hip flexors, and is important in standing, walking, and running.

The gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and piriformis insert onto the greater trochanter. 

Example Question #45 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

Which of the following does not cross (have leverage about) the ankle joint?

Possible Answers:

Flexor digitorum brevis

Extensor digitorum longus

Soleus

All of these cross the ankle joint

Tibialis posterior

Correct answer:

Flexor digitorum brevis

Explanation:

The flexor digitorum brevis lies in the middle of the sole of the foot above the plantar aponeurosis. It arises from a tendon from the medial process of the calcaneus, it continues towards the toes and divides into four tendons, one for each of the four lesser toes. It is innervated by the medial plantar nerve. The tibialis posterior, extensor digitorum longus, and soleus all cross the ankle joint thus having leverage above it. 

Example Question #46 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

The biceps femoris inserts on the __________.

Possible Answers:

lateral condyle of the femur

patella

posterior surface of tibia

lateral surface of the fibular head

femur

Correct answer:

lateral surface of the fibular head

Explanation:

The biceps femoris inserts on the lateral surface of the fibular head. The other muscles of the hamstring insert of the medial surface of the tibia.

Example Question #47 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

Which of the following muscles is not innervated by the obturator nerve?

Possible Answers:

Adductor brevis

Flexor hallucis longus

Gracilis

Adductor minimus

Adductor longus

Correct answer:

Flexor hallucis longus

Explanation:

The only muscle listed that is not innervated by the obturator nerve is flexor hallucis longus, as this is innervated by the tibial nerve, as well as the S2 and S3 nerve roots. Flexor hallucis longus runs from the fibula distally to the plantar surface of the foot, and functions to flex the joints of the big toe and plantar flex the ankle joint. 

The other muscles listed (adductor brevis, adductor minimus, adductor longus, and gracilis) are thigh muscles that are all innervated by the obturator nerve, and they collectively function to adduct the hip.

Example Question #48 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

Which of the following muscles does NOT have leverage about the knee?

Possible Answers:

Biceps femoris short head

Semitendinosus

Semimembranosus

Biceps femoris long head

Adductor magnus

Correct answer:

Adductor magnus

Explanation:

Adductor magnus is a large muscle, consisting of two parts, located at the medial side of the thigh. One portion of the muscle originates at the ischiopubic ramus (called the pubofemoral portion) while the other portion originates from the ichial tuberosity (called the ischiocondylar portion). The adductor magnus inserts onto the linea aspera above the knee. The biceps femoris (long and short heads), semitendinosus, and semimembranosus all insert below the knee thus having leverage about the knee.

Example Question #49 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

Which muscle group produces knee flexion?

Possible Answers:

Biceps muscle group

Posterior muscle group

Hamstring muscle group

All of these are correct

Quadriceps muscle group

Correct answer:

Hamstring muscle group

Explanation:

The hamstring muscle group is responsible for knee flexion. The quadriceps muscle group is responsible for knee extension. The posterior muscle group is not an anatomical muscle group. The biceps muscle group is located in the upper arm, and produces elbow flexion.

Example Question #50 : Identifying Muscles Of The Lower Extremities

Which muscle is not part of the hamstring muscle group?

Possible Answers:

Semimembranosus

Biceps femoris

Semitendinosus

These are all part of the hamstring muscle group

Rectus femoris

Correct answer:

Rectus femoris

Explanation:

The rectus femoris belongs to the quadriceps muscle group. The hamstring muscle group consists of: biceps femoris, which is located most lateral, and semimembranosus, and semitendinosus which is located most medially.

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