Semitendinosus Flashcards

Review semitendinosus anatomy, including its ischial origin, pes anserinus insertion, tibial nerve supply, movements, and clinical relevance.

Card 1 of 29Question

Which compartment of the thigh contains the semitendinosus?

The posterior compartment of the thigh.

In This Section

1. Which compartment of the thigh contains the semitendinosus?

The posterior compartment of the thigh.

2. Which muscle group includes the semitendinosus?

The hamstring muscle group.

3. What is the proximal bony attachment of semitendinosus?

The ischial tuberosity.

4. With which muscle does semitendinosus commonly share a proximal tendon?

The long head of biceps femoris.

5. What distinctive structural feature gives semitendinosus its name?

Its long, cord-like distal tendon.

6. Where does semitendinosus insert?

The superomedial surface of the proximal tibia through the pes anserinus.

7. Which three muscles contribute tendons to the pes anserinus?

Sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus.

8. What is the relative position of the semitendinosus tendon within the pes anserinus?

It is the most posterior of the three tendons.

9. Which two joints are crossed by semitendinosus?

The hip and knee joints.

10. What action does semitendinosus produce at the hip?

Extension of the thigh at the hip joint.

11. What is the primary action of semitendinosus at the knee?

Flexion of the leg at the knee joint.

12. Which rotational movement does semitendinosus produce when the knee is flexed?

Medial rotation of the leg relative to the thigh.

13. Which nerve supplies semitendinosus?

The tibial division of the sciatic nerve.

14. Which spinal nerve roots are primarily associated with semitendinosus innervation?

L5, S1, and S2.

15. Which artery provides a major blood supply to semitendinosus?

The profunda femoris artery through its perforating branches.

16. Which additional artery contributes to the proximal blood supply of semitendinosus?

The inferior gluteal artery.

17. Which venous system primarily drains semitendinosus?

The profunda femoris venous system through accompanying muscular veins.

18. Which hamstring muscle lies immediately deep to semitendinosus?

Semimembranosus.

19. Which hamstring muscle lies lateral to semitendinosus in the posterior thigh?

Biceps femoris.

20. Which boundary of the popliteal fossa is formed partly by semitendinosus?

The superomedial boundary.

21. Which major nerve travels deep to the hamstring muscles in the posterior thigh?

The sciatic nerve.

22. Which bursa lies deep to the pes anserinus tendons near the medial knee?

The pes anserine bursa.

23. How does semitendinosus assist in unlocking the extended knee?

It contributes to medial rotation of the tibia when the foot is free.

24. What is the role of semitendinosus during the terminal swing phase of walking?

It contracts eccentrically to decelerate knee extension and hip flexion.

25. How can semitendinosus strength be emphasized during clinical examination?

By testing resisted knee flexion with the leg medially rotated.

26. Which common ligament reconstruction procedure may use the semitendinosus tendon as a graft?

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

27. Which tendon is commonly harvested alongside semitendinosus for a hamstring autograft?

The gracilis tendon.

28. What functional deficit may result from tibial division injury affecting semitendinosus?

Weakness of knee flexion and medial rotation of the flexed leg.

29. Which imaging modality is especially useful for evaluating semitendinosus muscle or tendon tears?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).