The biceps femoris is a two-headed muscle located at the posterior thigh. Find out what are the functions of the biceps femoris on our full video here: [ Ссылка ]

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The biceps femoris is a two part fusiform or spindle-shaped muscle. It is located in the lower limb in the posterior compartment of the thigh. The biceps femoris muscle has two heads – a long head and a short head. The long head of the biceps femoris muscle belongs to the hamstring muscle group. Underneath the long head of the biceps femoris, we find then the short head.

When we're trying to identify this muscle in exam, a usual tip is to then note that the long head is a portion of the biceps femoris that can be readily seen as it lies on the top and only a small portion of the short head of the biceps femoris can be seen on the lateral side of the posterior thigh peeking out from underneath the long head. Each head has a different origin and innervation but the same insertion. The muscles of the posterior thigh are innervated by the sciatic nerve, which has two divisions – the tibial division and the common fibular division. The long head of the biceps femoris is innervated by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve, and the short head of the biceps femoris is then innervated by the common fibular division of the sciatic nerve.

Useful for practical exams are the root values of these nerves. Both the tibial division and the common fibular division of the sciatic nerve have the same root values namely L5, S1 and S2.

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Read more on the anatomy of the posterior hip muscles on this complete article [ Ссылка ]

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