Biceps femoris (left) (Musculus biceps femoris)

Layer: Muscles

Educational content only — not medical advice.

Anatomy

The largest and most lateral hamstring, with two heads: the long head from the ischial tuberosity and the short head from the femoral shaft. It ends in a strong tendon on the fibular head at the lateral knee.

Origin & insertion

Origin: long head from the ischial tuberosity; short head from the lateral lip of the linea aspera. Insertion: fibular head and lateral tibial condyle.

Action

Knee flexion and lateral rotation; hip extension (long head).

Innervation

Tibial nerve (long head) and common peroneal nerve (short head)

Clinical notes

The most commonly strained muscle in sprinters (hamstring strain), especially its long head. Its lateral tendon helps stabilize the knee against medial rotation.

Related structures

Educational references

FAQ

What is the role of the Biceps femoris (left)?

The largest and most lateral hamstring, with two heads: the long head from the ischial tuberosity and the short head from the femoral shaft. It ends in a strong tendon on the fibular head at the lateral knee.

Why is the Biceps femoris (left) clinically important?

The most commonly strained muscle in sprinters (hamstring strain), especially its long head. Its lateral tendon helps stabilize the knee against medial rotation.

Source & license

BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details