Hamstrings

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Hamstrings

Hamstrings (/ˈhæmˌstrɪŋz/) are a group of three posterior thigh muscles in between the hip and the knee. The muscles are the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris.

Etymology

The term "hamstring" comes from the old English hamm, meaning thigh. The -string refers to the characteristic long, cord-like tendons at the back of the knee.

Anatomy

The Semimembranosus (/ˌsɛmiˌmɛmbrəˈnoʊsəs/) is the most medial of the three hamstring muscles. It is so named because it has a flat tendon of origin.

The Semitendinosus (/ˌsɛmiˌtɛndɪˈnoʊsəs/) is named from its long tendon of insertion. It lies between the other two hamstrings muscles.

The Biceps Femoris (/ˈbaɪsɛps ˈfɛmərɪs/) is a two-part muscle including a long head and a short head.

Function

The hamstrings cross and act upon two joints - the hip and the knee. The hamstrings play a crucial role in many daily activities, including walking, running, jumping, and controlling the body's movement in space.

Related Terms

  • Muscle: A tissue composed of cells or fibers, the contraction of which produces movement in the body.
  • Tendon: A flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone.
  • Knee: The joint between the thigh and the lower leg in humans.
  • Hip: The region of the body located lateral to the gluteal region, over the joint of the hip.

External links

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