The Hamstrings

The Hamstrings consist of semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris with its 2 heads.

Below are the muscle study aids for massage therapy students.

Semitendinosus

Insertion is medial proximal tibial shaft at pes anserinus.

Actions--flexes knee, medially rotates knee, posteriorly tilts pelvis, extends hip, and medially rotates hip.

This muscle is on top of semimembranosus.

Semimembranosus

Insertion is medial condyle of tibia.

Actions--posteriorly tilts pelvis, extends hip, medially rotates hip, flexes knee, and medially rotates knee.

This muscle is located under semitendinosus and is the most medial of the group.

Biceps Femoris

Insertion is fibular head.

Actions--posteriorly tilts pelvis, laterally rotates hip, extends hip, flexes knee, laterally rotates knee.

This muscle has 2 heads, the long head and the short head. The short head may occasionally be absent.

Return from Hamstrings to Muscles