The posterior compartment of the thigh is the flexor compartment behind the femur. It contains the hamstring muscles, biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus, all supplied by the tibial part of the sciatic nerve except the short head of biceps, which is supplied by the common fibular part.
| Location | Back of the thigh. |
|---|---|
| Boundaries |
|
| Contents |
|
Holds the hamstrings, which extend the hip and flex the knee.
Hamstring strains and proximal hamstring avulsions are among the most frequent sports injuries and occur in this compartment. The sciatic nerve runs down the middle of the compartment and can be stretched in avulsion injuries or caught in scar tissue. Posterior compartment syndrome after hamstring rupture or femoral fracture is uncommon.
Tear of hamstring fibres, often biceps femoris at the musculotendinous junction, during sprinting, causing sudden pain at the back of the thigh.
Pulling of the hamstring tendons off the ischial tuberosity, causing bruising and weakness, often needing surgical repair to protect the sciatic nerve and restore strength.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
