Muscle Breakdown: Biceps Femoris
Table of Contents
What Exactly Is the Biceps Femoris
The Biceps Femoris one of three muscles that make up the Hamstrings. It is located in the back of the thigh and crosses both the hip and knee joints. What makes the Biceps Femoris different than the other muscles of the Hamstrings, is that the muscle has two heads, a short head, and a long head.
Biceps Femoris Muscle & Cadaver
Here is the image of the Biceps Femoris muscle in a cadaver. It shows the posterior (rear) side of a human thigh, as this is where the muscle is located.
Biceps Femoris Function
All of the muscles of the Hamstring perform the same function. The Biceps Femoris helps too,
Extend and externally rotate the thigh (from the hip)
Extends and externally rotate the leg (from the knee)
Stabilizes the hip
Biceps Femoris Origin And Insertion
Biceps Femoris Origin
Since the Biceps Femoris has two heads, there are two points of origin. The short head of the Biceps Femoris originates from the Linea Aspera of the Femur. The long head of the Biceps Femoris originates from the Ischial Tuberosity
Biceps Femoris Insertion
Both heads of the Biceps Femoris insert into the head of the Fibula, laterally.
Biceps Femoris Action
The Biceps Femoris, with the help of the other muscles of the Hamstrings help produce the following movements,
Walking
Jumping
Running
Lunging
Squatting
Biceps Femoris Tendon
The Biceps Femoris Tendon is an important part of the muscle. This is the part of the muscle that transmits force to the lower leg to produce movement. You can feel the Biceps Femoris Tendon when you flex the knee and feel the area around the posterior-lateral side of the knee. Because of the force generated on the Biceps Femoris Tendon, repetitive use can lead to small tears in the tendon that can contribute to Tendonitis.
Biceps Femoris Short Head
The short head of the Biceps Femoris begins around the mid-thigh and then joins with the long head to form one insertion point.
Biceps Femoris Long Head
The long head of the Biceps Femoris starts at the lower portion of the pelvis and continues to join with the short head to create one point of insertion. Besides the length, origin and innervation of both heads, one slight difference between them is the long head of the Biceps Femoris is more involved in the extension of the hip joint.
Biceps Femoris Pain
Pain in the Biceps Femoris can be the result of different conditions. You may be experiencing pain in the Biceps Femoris because of Tendinitis, Tendinosis, or a strain to the muscle. You can read more about each condition below. General muscle pain can also be caused by overuse. Listen to your body and know when it is time to take a break from activity, to let the body heal properly.
Biceps Femoris Strain
There are different grades of muscle strains that can occur to the Biceps Femoris. The least severe strain is a grade 1 strain, where the muscle loses a bit of strength but is not torn. A Grade 2 strain is more severe, and the muscle most likely has a small tear and you will experience swelling and pain. The most severe strain is a Grade 3 strain where the muscle is completely torn, and you cannot use the muscle. There will be swelling, bruising and severe pain.
A Biceps Femoris Strain can be the result of an impact related injury (such as during a sprint), a stretch related injury (can be from overreaching in sport), or even from a weak Biceps Femoris. It is important to see your Physician right away if you suspect that you have strained your Biceps Femoris. Treatment at home often involves rest, ice, heat and elevation. Your doctor or Physical Therapist will let you know when you can start performing movement-based rehabilitation.
Biceps Femoris Tendinitis
Tendinitis in the Biceps Femoris is inflammation in the Biceps Femoris Tendon. This is the result of direct injury to the Biceps Femoris Tendon. Small tears to the Biceps Femoris Tendon over time can result in Tendonitis. Out of all three of the muscles that make up the Hamstrings, the Biceps Femoris is the most likely muscle to experience Tendinitis or Tendonitis.
It’s important to note that the terms Tendinitis and Tendinosis are interchangeable however, Tendinitis is an acute (short-term) condition, and Tendinosis tends to be persistent and reoccurring.
Symptoms of Biceps Femoris Tendonitis include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness and stiffness of the joint. Sometimes, pain can be temporarily relieved with movement, but worsen after sitting for long periods of time. Your Doctor or Physical Therapist will perform a physical examination to confirm a diagnosis and provide you with an appropriate recovery plan.
Biceps Femoris Innervation
The short and long head of the Biceps Femoris each has its own innervation. The short head of the Biceps Femoris is innervated by the Common Peroneal Division of the Sciatic Nerve. The long head of the Biceps Femoris is innervated by the Tibial Division of the Sciatic Nerve.
How Do You Treat A Torn Biceps Femoris
First, a tear in the Biceps Femoris is a serious injury. Your symptoms will include bruising, swelling, tenderness and inability to use the muscle. You should see your doctor right away if you suspect a Biceps Femoris tear.
To treat a torn Biceps Femoris, you will most likely be advised to rest for 1-2 weeks. During this time, ice, heat and elevating the muscle will be beneficial to recovery. As well, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen may help to relieve pain and reduce swelling. A Physical therapist may also be able to use different modalities of treatment to reduce swelling and promote recovery. In extremely severe cases, surgery may be required however, most tears to the Biceps Femoris usually heal on their own.
You will be allowed to return to physical activity once you have been examined and cleared by a physician. This will be when you have full range of motion of the muscle without experiencing pain. Light stretching and exercise will be given to help re-strengthen the muscle. Once the Biceps Femoris is fully healed, it will be even more important for you to perform a proper warm-up of the Hamstrings before engaging in activity to reduce to risk of re-tearing the muscle.
Biceps Femoris Exercises
Biceps Femoris Stretch
Try the following stretches to engage the Biceps Femoris and the Hamstring muscle group:
Biceps Femoris Stretch
Strap Stretch
Lie down on the floor with a resistance band looped around the bottom of one foot. Extend the leg with the resistance band into the air, pulling the foot towards you. You should feel a stretch at the back of the leg. You can increase the intensity of the stretch by pulling on the band even more. Hold this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Biceps Femoris Stretch
The Biceps Femoris is located in the back of the thigh and is part of the Hamstring muscle group. A simple way that you can stretch the Biceps Femoris is to sit down on the ground with one leg extended and the other leg bent at the knee with the sole of the foot against the leg that is straight. Lean the torso forwards and reach for the toes of the extended leg. Hold this position for 10-30 seconds and repeat on the other leg.
What Bones Does the Bicep Femoris Attach To
The Biceps Femoris attaches to the Fibula. The Fibula is one of the bones located in the lower leg, below the knee. The Biceps Femoris originates from the Femur and the Ischium.
How Is the Rectus Femoris Different than the Bicep Femoris as Far as Joint Angle Effect
The Biceps Femoris is part of the Hamstring muscle group that is located in the back of the leg. The Rectus Femoris is part of the Quadriceps muscle group that is located in the front of the leg. The joint angle is the angle between the segments on either side of the knee. A study found that although the Biceps Femoris and Rectus Femoris are antagonists, they both contract eccentrically in the early push off phase and concentrically in the last part of the phase.
What Muscle Is Behind Bicep Femoris
The Biceps Femoris is part of the Hamstring muscle group. The Hamstrings are located in the posterior compartment of the leg (the back of the leg) and therefore there are no muscles located behind them.
What Causes Pain in Bicep Femoris and Knee
Biceps Femoris Tendinopathy causes pain in the Biceps Femoris and Knee. This occurs from the repetitive use of the Biceps Femoris (often in sport) that results in small tears in the Biceps Femoris Tendon. These small tears can cause inflammation, and the inflammation in the tendon is what causes Tendinopathy. Symptoms of Biceps Femoris Tendinopathy include swelling, stiffness, weakness and decreased range of motion at the knee.
What Is the Peripheral Nerve for Bicep Femoris
The Biceps Femoris is innervated by the common peroneal division of the sciatic nerve and the tibial division of the sciatic nerve.
