Click on the structure to specify the target of your label
![]() |
01 | ![]() |
Semimembranosus
Other Terms:
Musculus semimembranosus,
Muscle semi-membraneux
Muscle parts
None
Latin name
Musculus semimembranosus
Latin muscle parts
None
Group
Thigh muscle – posterior compartment
Etymology
The English name for this muscle is the half skin muscle. The word semimembranosus comes from the combined Latin words semis meaning “half” and membrana meaning “skin.” This name describes the fact that about half of the muscle consists of a broad, membranous tendon.
Origin
Lateral aspect of the superior part of the ischial tuberosity
Insertion
Tubercle on the posterior surface of medial condyle of the tibia with slips to the medial and lateral borders of the medial condyle
Action
Extension of the hip; flexion of the knee; medial rotator of the semiflexed knee.
Nerve supply
Tibial nerve (L5, S1, and S2)
Blood supply
From proximal to distal, the muscle is supplied by the posterior branch of the obturator artery, the inferior gluteal artery, the perforating branches of the deep femoral artery, direct muscular branches from the popliteal artery, superior and inferior medial genicular branches of the popliteal artery, saphenous branch of the descending genicular artery from the femoral artery, and the anterior tibial recurrent artery.
Latin
Musculus semimembranosus
French
Muscle semi-membraneux