Biceps Femoris Short 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 Muscles1
Figure 2: Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral region2
Figure 3: Superficial posterior leg muscles2
Reading list
  • Ch60 Hamstring muscles3
  • Neuman4
Muscle Origin Insertion Innervation Action
Biceps femoris short head Lateral lip of Linea aspera Fibular head Common Fibular n.
L5 - S2		 Knee: Flexion, ER

Origin

  • Lateral lip of the linea aspera in the middle third of the femur5,6
  • Lateral supracondylar line of the femur6

Insertion

Head of Fibula5

Innervation

Common Fibular N. (L5, S1, S2)5

Action

Knee: Flexion and External rotation5

Biceps femoris short head is the only monoarticular external rotator of the knee6. Therefore, hip position does not change its ability to externally rotate the knee.

Myofascial Unit

Although the adductor longus and biceps femoris short head both attach at the linea aspera and fascially run in the same direction, these do not form a line since the adductor magnus acts as an intervening plane7. There may be a functional connection through the bone, but there is no connection via the fascia7.

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.
7.
Myers TW. Anatomy Trains. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2021.

Citation

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