Answer
Muscles of the posterior compartment of the thigh:
The largest muscle in this compartment is the quad or quadriceps femoris muscle. It comprises the rectus femoris, the vastus lateralis, the vastus intermedius, and the vastus medialis. The sartorius also belongs to this compartment. Two other muscles, the pectineus and the iliopsoas, are sometimes included in this group.
Muscles of the middle compartment of the thigh:
These include the gracilis, adductor brevis, the adductor longus, and the adductor magnus.
The obturator externus, and pectineus are sometimes included in this group.
Muscles of the anterior compartment of the thigh.
The hamstring muscles are in this category: these are the biceps femoris, the semitendinosus, and the
semimembranosus
Work Step by Step
Actions of muscles of the anterior compartment
The quadriceps femoris ( he most powerful muscle) is the prime mover of knee extension. In addition, the vastus lateralis keeps he patella in its groove on the thigh, and the rectus femoris draws the leg forward during a stride. The sartorius , the longest muscle in the body, flexees the hip at the knee joint , and laterally rotates the thigh , for example in the act of crossing the legs.
Actions of muscles of the middle compartment of the thigh
The adductor longus medially rotates and extends the thigh at the hips; the pectineus flexes and adducts the thigh; the adductor brevis adducts the thigh. The gracilis also belongs in this group ; it flexes and medially rotates the tibia at at the knee.
Actions of muscles of the posterior compartment of the thigh.
These muscles flex the knee and the hip during walking and running.
The popliteus is a a minor muscle that originates in the posterior compartment of the thigh, but acts at
the knee. it unlocks the knee;,and rotates the femur laterally or medially.
