Posterior compartment of thigh
Compartimentum posterius femoris
- Latin synonym: Compartimentum flexorium femoris
- Synonym: Flexor compartment of thigh
Definition
The posterior compartment of thigh (a.k.a. the hamstring compartment) contains the hamstring muscles, which act primarily to extend the hip and flex the knee.
Muscles
The posterior compartment of thigh contains three major muscles:
Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Nerve Supply | Main Actions |
Ischial tuberosity | Head of fibula | Tibial part of sciatic nerve | Extends thigh, flexes and laterally rotates leg | |
Linea aspera and lateral supracondylar line of femur | Head of fibula | Common fibular part of sciatic nerve | Flexes and laterally rotates leg (no hip action) | |
Ischial tuberosity | Medial surface of upper tibia (pes anserinus) | Tibial part of sciatic nerve | Extends thigh, flexes and medially rotates leg | |
Ischial tuberosity | Posterior aspect of medial tibial condyle | Tibial part of sciatic nerve | Extends thigh, flexes and medially rotates leg |
Nerve Supply
Sciatic nerve (L4–S3) — the main nerve of the posterior compartment, typically dividing into:
Tibial division → supplies semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and long head of biceps femoris
Common fibular (peroneal) division → supplies short head of biceps femoris
Actions
Extension of the thigh at the hip joint
Flexion of the leg at the knee joint
Rotation of the leg (medial by semitendinosus & semimembranosus; lateral by biceps femoris)
References
Anderson TB, Vilella RC. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Posterior Thigh. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554598/
