Biceps Femoris

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Figure 1: Hip and Thigh Muscles¹

Cross-section of middle thigh²

Figure 2: Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral region²

Figure 3: Superficial posterior leg muscles²

Reading list

• Ch60 Hamstring muscles³
• Neuman⁴
• MMT⁵

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Biceps femoris long head	Ischial tuberosity Sacrotuberous lig. (Common head with semitendinosus)	Fibular head	Tibial n. L5 - S2	Hip: Extension Knee: Flexion, ER Pelvis: Sagittal stabilization
Biceps femoris short head	Lateral lip of Linea aspera	Fibular head	Common Fibular n. L5 - S2	Knee: Flexion, ER

“The biceps femoris (see Fig. 19-8) muscle is a two-headed muscle. The longer of the two heads arises from the inferomedial facet of the ischial tuberosity, whereas the shorter head originates from the lateral lip of the linea aspera of the femur. The muscle inserts on the lateral tibial condyle and the fibular head. The biceps femoris functions to extend the hip, flex the knee, and externally rotate the tibia. The superficial layer of the common tendon has been identified as the main force creating external tibial rotation and controlling the internal rotation of the femur.14 The pull of the biceps on the tibia retracts the joint capsule and pulls the iliotibial tract posteriorly, keeping it tight throughout flexion.”⁶

The biceps femoris insert superficial to the LCL⁷.

References

1.

Betts JG, Blaker W. Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details

2.

Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/

3.

Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.

4.

Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.

5.

Weinstock D. NeuroKinetic Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Manual Muscle Testing. North Atlantic Books; 2010.

6.

Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. 5th ed. McGraw Hill Education; 2020.

7.

Jones B. B Project Foundations. b Project; 2025.