In human anatomy, a hamstring refers to one of the tendons that makes up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the tendons of the semitendinosus, the semimembranosus, and the biceps femoris. In quadrupeds, it refers to the single large tendon found behind the knee or comparable area. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (318x800, 63 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Hamstring Fibularis longus Achilles tendon Wikipedia:Grays Anatomy images with missing articles 25 Gluteus maximus muscle Soleus... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A typical adult human skeleton consists of the following 206 bones, though this number does vary owing to a variety of anatomical variations; for example, a small portion of the human population have an extra rib, or an extra lumbar vertebra. ... Posteriorly the Superior ramus of the ischium forms a large swelling, the tuberosity of the ischium, which is divided into two portions: a lower, rough, somewhat triangular part, and an upper, smooth, quadrilateral portion. ... The linea aspera is a ridge of roughened surface on the posterior aspect of the femur, to which are attached muscles and intermusclular septa. ... A typical adult human skeleton consists of the following 206 bones, though this number does vary owing to a variety of anatomical variations; for example, a small portion of the human population have an extra rib, or an extra lumbar vertebra. ... This article is about the vertebrate bone. ... For other uses see fibula (disambiguation) The fibula or calf bone is a bone placed on the lateral side of the tibia, with which it is connected above and below. ... Section of an artery For other uses, see Artery (disambiguation). ... The inferior gluteal artery (sciatic artery), the larger of the two terminal branches of the anterior trunk of the hypogastric, is distributed chiefly to the buttock and back of the thigh. ... The profunda femoris artery (also known as the deep femoral artery, or the deep artery of the thigh) is a branch of the femoral artery that, as its name suggests, travels more deeply (posteriorly) than the rest of the femoral artery. ... List of human nerves External links List of nerves This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy certain standards for completeness. ... The sciatic nerve (also known as the ischiatic nerve) is a large nerve that runs down the lower limb. ... The Tibial Nerve The tibial nerve passes through the popliteal fossa to pass below the arch of soleus. ... Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement. ... In anatomy, Flexion is movement whereby bones or other objects are brought closer together. ... For other uses, see Knee (disambiguation). ... An antagonist is a kind of muscle that acts in opposition to the movement generated by the agonist and is responsible for returning a limb to its initial position. ... The Rectus femoris muscle is one of the four quadriceps muscles of the human body. ... Elseviers logo. ... List of bones of the human skeleton Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the adult human body. ... A tendon (or sinew) is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone and is built to withstand tension. ... The Semitendinosus muscle is a muscle of the human body. ... The Semimembranosus muscle is a muscle of the human body. ... The biceps femoris, as its name implies, has two heads. ...

As shown in the diagram, the human hamstring occupies the posterior of the body of the femur. The femur or thigh bone is the longest, most voluminous, and strongest bone of the mammalian bodies. ...

Etymology

The word ham originally referred to the fat and muscle behind the knee. String refers to tendons, and thus, the hamstrings are the string-like tendons felt on either side of the back of the knee. For other uses, see Knee (disambiguation). ...

The term hamstring comes from Eighteenth Century England. Back then butchers would display the carcasses of pigs by hanging them by the tendons on the back of the knee.

The four muscles of the posterior thigh flex (bend) the knee, while three of the four extend (straighten) the hip. The short head of the biceps femoris, with its divergent origin and innervation, is not involved in hip extension, and thus is sometimes excluded from the 'hamstring' characterization. In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and buttocks and the knee. ...

The Semitendinosus muscle is a muscle of the human body. ... Posteriorly the Superior ramus of the ischium forms a large swelling, the tuberosity of the ischium, which is divided into two portions: a lower, rough, somewhat triangular part, and an upper, smooth, quadrilateral portion. ... This article is about the vertebrate bone. ... The Tibial Nerve The tibial nerve passes through the popliteal fossa to pass below the arch of soleus. ... The Semimembranosus muscle is a muscle of the human body. ... The medial condyle is the medial portion of the upper extremity of tibia. ... The Tibial Nerve The tibial nerve passes through the popliteal fossa to pass below the arch of soleus. ... The biceps femoris, as its name implies, has two heads. ... The upper extremity or head of the fibula is of an irregular quadrate form, presenting above a flattened articular surface, directed upward, forward, and medialward, for articulation with a corresponding surface on the lateral condyle of the tibia. ... The Tibial Nerve The tibial nerve passes through the popliteal fossa to pass below the arch of soleus. ... The biceps femoris, as its name implies, has two heads. ... The linea aspera is a ridge of roughened surface on the posterior aspect of the femur, to which are attached muscles and intermusclular septa. ... Head of femur can refer to: Head of Femur (band) Femur head Category: ... The lateral condyle is the lateral portion of the upper extremity of tibia. ... The common peroneal nerve (common fibular nerve; external popliteal nerve; peroneal nerve), about one-half the size of the tibial nerve, is derived from the dorsal branches of the fourth and fifth lumbar and the first and second sacral nerves. ...

Functions

The hamstrings cross and act upon two joints - the hip and the knee. Bones of the Hip In anatomy, the hip is the bony projection of the femur, known as the greater trochanter, and the overlying muscle and fat. ... For other uses, see Knee (disambiguation). ...

Semitendinosus and semimembranosus extend the hip when the trunk is fixed or extend the trunk when the hip is fixed; they also flex the knee and medially (inwardly) rotate the lower leg when the knee is bent.

The long head of the biceps femoris extends the hip as when beginning to walk; both short and long heads flex the knee and laterally (outwardly) rotates the lower leg when the knee is bent.

The hamstrings play a crucial role in many daily activities, such as, walking, running, jumping, and controlling some movement in the trunk. In walking, they are most important as an antagonist to the quadriceps in the deceleration of knee extension. An antagonist is a kind of muscle that acts in opposition to the movement generated by the agonist and is responsible for returning a limb to its initial position. ... Muscles of the iliac and anterior femoral regions. ...

Injuries

Straining of the hamstring, also known as a pulled hamstring, is defined as an excessive stretch or tear of muscle fibers and related tissues. A strain is an injury which occurs to a muscle in which the muscle fibers tear as a result of overstretching. ...

Grade I

With a grade one hamstring strain the signs may not be present until after the activity is over. There may be a sensation of cramp or tightness and a slight feeling of pain when the muscles are stretched or contracted. It also may be referred to as a "pulled hammy". Look up Pain in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Grade II

With a grade two hamstring strain there is immediate pain which is more severe than the pain of a grade one injury. It is confirmed by pain on stretch and contraction of the muscle. A grade two hamstring strain is usually sore to touch.

Grade III

A grade three hamstring strain is a catastrophic injury. There is an immediate burning or stabbing pain and the athlete is unable to walk without pain. The muscle is completely torn and there may be a large lump of muscle tissue above a depression where the tear is. After a few days with grade two and three injuries a large bruise may appear below the injury site caused by the bleeding within the tissues.

Treatment

The immediate treatment of any muscle injury consists of the RICE protocol - rest, ice,compression, and elevation (never apply ice directly to the skin). This is aimed at reducing the bleeding and damage within the muscle tissue. Resting may be the common sense approach, but it is one that is often ignored by competitive athletes. This is unwise, since it does not take much to turn a grade one strain into a grade two, or a grade two strain into a grade three. As a general rule, grade one hamstring strains should be rested from sporting activity for about 3 weeks and grade two injuries for about 4 to 6 weeks. In the case of a complete rupture, the muscle will have to be repaired surgically and the rehabilitation afterwards will take about 3 months. This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... A relaxing afternoon of leisure: a young girl resting in a pool. ... Snowflakes by Wilson Bentley, 1902 Ice is the name given to any one of the 14 known solid phases of water. ... Bandage is also used for martial arts. ...

Regardless of the level of the injury the treatment in the first five days is the same. The hamstring should be rested in an elevated position with an ice pack applied for twenty minutes every two hours, if practical (never apply ice directly to the skin). A compression bandage should be applied to limit bleeding and swelling in the tissues. After the first five days have been spent resting, more active rehabilitation can be started.

Use in surgery

The distal semitendinosis tendon is one of the tendons that can be used in the surgical procedure ACL reconstruction. In this procedure, a piece of it is used to replace the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL is one of the four major ligaments in the knee. “Surgeon” redirects here. ... Knees following ACL reconstruction surgery. ... The anterior cruciate ligament (or ACL) is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. ...

Hamstringing

Main article: Hamstringing

The original definition of "hamstringing" was to cut the hamstring of a person or animal, thus crippling them. It was generally in the context of war, and would cripple the victim, leaving him unable to fight. The hamstringing of a horse would make it incapable of using its rear legs, even for standing up, thus making it easier to kill. The definition has been extended to use as a metaphor to refer to the crippling of any effort, e.g. a person may be hamstrung in his/her studies by not being too bright. Hamstringing is a method of crippling a person so he cannot walk by cutting the tendons in the back of the leg. ... Look up metaphor in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

See also

• Popliteal fossa

The popliteal fossa is a space or shallow depression located at the back of the knee-joint. ...

References

1. ^ http://www.gla.ac.uk/ibls/fab/tutorial/anatomy/knee1.html

External links

• Illustration at ucla.edu
• Hamstring at eMedicine Dictionary