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Biceps Femoris Tendon
Muscular System

Biceps Femoris Tendon

Tendo biceps femoris

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Structure/Morphology

The biceps femoris tendon is the rounded tendon that attaches the muscle bellies of the long and short heads of the biceps femoris muscle to the head of the fibula. The proximal end of the tendon begins in the distal one third of the thigh, where the fibers of the two heads of the biceps femoris muscle converge to form this single tendon. The distal end of the biceps femoris tendon splits around the fibular collateral ligament and then attaches to the lateral aspect of the head of the fibula.

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Anatomical Relations

The biceps femoris tendon is located:

- anterior to the lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle and the common fibular nerve;

- lateral to the lateral condyle of femur, capsule of the knee joint, the fibular collateral ligament, and the inferior subtendinous bursa of biceps femoris muscle.

Overall, the biceps femoris muscle contributes to the formation of the popliteal fossa, where the muscle and tendon form its superolateral boundary.

Function

The biceps femoris tendon attaches the muscle bellies of the long and short heads of the biceps femoris muscle to the head of the fibula.

This insertion site allows the biceps femoris muscle to be able to:

- flex the leg at the knee joint;

- laterally rotate the leg at the knee joint while this joint is held in a semiflexed position.

List of Clinical Correlates

- Biceps femoris tendinitis

Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products

Biceps Femoris Muscle

ScienceDirect image

The short head of the biceps femoris muscle joins the belly of the long head of the biceps femoris muscle on its deep surface as it descends in the thigh.

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