GENERAL INFORMATION
The thigh is the upper part of the lower limb, located between the hip and the knee. It is a powerful region containing various muscles, bones, blood vessels, and nerves involved in walking, running, and other lower limb movements.
ORIGIN OF THIGH
The muscles of this part have various origins, including the pelvis, femur and other adjacent structures.
INSERTION POINT
The muscles of this part have various insertion points, primarily on the bones of the lower limb, such as the femur, tibia and fibula.
MAJOR ARTERIES
The major arteries supplying the thigh include the femoral artery and its branches, which provide oxygenated blood to the muscles and tissues of the thigh.
NEURAL INNERVATION
These muscles are innervated by nerves originating from the lumbar and sacral plexus. The primary nerves involved in thigh innervation include the femoral, obturator, and sciatic nerve.
TRIGGER POINT OF THIGH
Trigger points can develop in various thigh muscles due to overuse, tension, or injury. These trigger points can cause localised pain and discomfort.
CONCENTRIC FUNCTION
These muscles perform concentric contractions when they shorten and generate force during movements like walking, running, squatting and jumping.
ECCENTRIC FUNCTION
The thigh muscles perform eccentric contractions when they lengthen under tension to control movement or resist external forces, such as during landing from a jump or descending stairs.
ISOMETRIC FUNCTION
These muscles also perform isometric contractions when they generate force without changing their length, such as maintaining stability during standing or holding a static position.
RELATED MUSCLE-SCIENTIFIC NAMES
- Quadriceps femoris: (Rectus femoris, Vastus lateralis, Vastus medialis, Vastus intermedius)
- Hamstrings: (Biceps femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus)
- Adductor muscles: (Adductor longus, Adductor brevis, Adductor Magnus, Gracilis, Pectineus)
- Sartorius
ANTAGONIST
The antagonist muscles to the thigh muscles depend on the specific muscle being considered. For example, the quadriceps are antagonistic to the hamstrings.
COMMON INJURIES OF THIGH
- Strains: Overstretching or tearing of muscle fibres.
- Sprains: Injury to ligaments supporting the thigh muscles.
- Muscle tears: Severe damage to muscle fibres.
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons.
- Contusions: Bruising from direct impact.
- Fractures: Breaks in the femur, often from high-impact trauma.
- Stress fractures: Small cracks in the femur from repetitive stress.
EXERCISES FOR THIGH
- Squats: Strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles.
- Lunges: Target the thigh muscles and improve balance.
- Leg press: Focuses on the quadriceps and gluteal muscles.
- Leg extensions: Isolate and strengthen the quadriceps.
- Leg curls: Target the hamstrings.
- Hip adduction and abduction exercises: Strengthen the inner and outer thigh muscles.
- Running and jumping: Functional movements that engage the thigh muscles.
STRETCHES FOR THIGH
- Standing quadriceps stretch: Pull one ankle towards the buttocks to stretch the quadriceps.
- Standing hamstring stretch: Extend one leg forward and reach towards the toes to stretch the hamstrings.
- Seated butterfly stretch: Bring the soles of the feet together and push the knees towards the floor to stretch the inner thighs.
- Seated groin stretch: Sit with legs spread wide and lean forward to stretch the adductors.
- Dynamic stretches and mobility exercises: Target various lower limb muscles to improve flexibility and range of motion.