Posterior compartment of the thigh

The posterior compartment of the thigh is one of the three compartments in the thigh. Muscles within this compartment primarily produce hip extension and knee flexion.

The thigh is separated into anterior, posterior and medial (adductor) compartments by intermuscular septa and surrounded by the fascia lata.

Muscles

• hamstrings
  • biceps femoris
  • semimembranosus
  • semitendinosus

Blood supply

• branches of the common femoral artery, profunda femoris artery and superficial femoral artery

Innervation

• tibial nerve except the short head of biceps femoris which is innervated by the common peroneal nerve