Biceps Femoris Long Head

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 Muscles
Figure 2: Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral region
Figure 3: Superficial posterior leg muscles
Reading list
  • Ch60 Hamstring muscles
  • Neuman

Origin

Insertion

Head of Fibula

Innervation

Tibial N. (Tibial division of Sciatic N.) (L5, S1, S2)

Action

  • Hip: Extends the hip
  • Pelvic Stabilization: Sagittal plane
  • Knee: Flexion and ER

Dysfunction

If there is immobility at the hip and ankle, the knee is often abused and performs transverse plane rotation to compensate. If this occurs, you will often see the biceps femoris long head and popliteus being tender to palpate, guarding, and/or overactive since these are used to stabilize the knee against rotation.

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.
Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.
6.
Jones B. B Project Foundations. b Project; 2025.

Citation

For attribution, please cite this work as: