Hamstring

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Hamstring

Hamstring (/ˈhæmˌstrɪŋ/) refers to one of the three posterior thigh muscles in between the hip and the knee (from medial to lateral: semimembranosus, semitendinosus and biceps femoris). The term is often used to refer to the tendons that attach these muscles to the bones, which are particularly prone to strain and injury, especially in athletes.

Etymology

The term "hamstring" comes from the old English hamm, meaning thigh, and streng, meaning string. This is likely due to the string-like appearance of the hamstring tendons.

Anatomy

The hamstring is made up of three muscles: the semitendinosus, the semimembranosus, and the biceps femoris. These muscles are responsible for the flexion of the knee and extension of the hip joint. They originate from the ischial tuberosity in the pelvis and insert on the tibia and fibula in the lower leg.

Related Terms

  • Strain: A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon in which the muscle fibers tear as a result of overstretching. Hamstring strains are common in sports that involve sprinting, such as football and track.
  • Tendon: A tendon is a fibrous connective tissue which attaches muscle to bone. Tendons may also attach muscles to structures such as the eyeball.
  • Ischial tuberosity: The ischial tuberosity is a large swelling posteriorly on the superior ramus of the ischium. It is an attachment site for the hamstring muscles.
  • Biceps femoris: The biceps femoris is a muscle of the thigh located to the posterior, or back. Along with the semitendinosus and semimembranosus, these muscles constitute the hamstrings.

External links

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