Muscles of the Leg Practice

Identify this muscle:

• Sartorius

• Rectus Femoris

• Vastus Lateralis

• Vastus Medialis

• Tensor Fasciae Latae

Answer explanation

This muscle is the Sartorius. I start with it because it allows me to separate the thigh into regions on the inside and on the outside. This way I can focus on learning the muscles in the different regions.

The muscles in the "muscle" color are the inner region, and the muscles in the pinkish color (including the sartorius) are the outer region.

What is the name of the muscle?

• Pectineus

• Adductor Longus

• Iliacus

• Psoas Major

• Gracilis

Answer explanation

I memorize these muscles by using the abbreviation "GAPPI". From the inside to the muscle moving diagonally across the thigh, the muscles are the:

• - Gracilis

• - Adductor Longus

• - Pectineus

• - Psoas Major

• - Iliacus

Since this is the second muscle in from the inside it's the Adductor Longus.

What is the name of the muscle?

• Pectineus

• Adductor Longus

• Iliacus

• Psoas Major

• Gracilis

Answer explanation

I memorize these muscles by using the abbreviation "GAPPI". From the inside to the muscle moving diagonally across the thigh, the muscles are the:

- Gracilis

- Adductor Longus

- Pectineus

- Psoas Major

- Iliacus

Since this is the first muscle in from the inside of the leg it's the Gracilis.

What is the name of the muscle?

• Pectineus

• Adductor Longus

• Iliacus

• Psoas Major

• Gracilis

Answer explanation

I memorize these muscles by using the abbreviation "GAPPI". From the inside to the muscle moving diagonally across the thigh, the muscles are the:

• - Gracilis

• - Adductor Longus

• - Pectineus

• - Psoas Major

• - Iliacus

Since this is the 5th muscle in from the inside of the leg, it's the Iliacus.

What is the name of the muscle?

• Pectineus

• Adductor Longus

• Iliacus

• Psoas Major

• Gracilis

Answer explanation

I memorize these muscles by using the abbreviation "GAPPI". From the inside to the muscle moving diagonally across the thigh, the muscles are the:

• - Gracilis

• - Adductor Longus

• - Pectineus

• - Psoas Major

• - Iliacus

Since this is the third muscle in from the inside of the leg, it's the pectineus (the "p" muscles are in alphabetical order from the inside).

What is the name of the muscle?

• Pectineus

• Adductor Longus

• Iliacus

• Psoas Major

• Gracilis

Answer explanation

I memorize these muscles by using the abbreviation "GAPPI". From the inside to the muscle moving diagonally across the thigh, the muscles are the:

• - Gracilis

• - Adductor Longus

• - Pectineus

• - Psoas Major

• - Iliacus

Since this is the 4th muscle in from the inside it's the Psoas Major.

Identify the Muscle:

• Sartorius

• Rectus Femoris

• Vastus Lateralis

• Vastus Medius

• Tensor Fasciae Latae

Answer explanation

I memorize the muscles on the outside of the thigh by location and name. This muscle runs straight down the middle of the thigh. The term "rectus" means straight while "femoris" is a reference to the femur. So, the rectus femoris goes straight down the femur.

Identify the Muscle:

• Sartorius

• Rectus Femoris

• Vastus Lateralis

• Vastus Medius

• Tensor Fasciae Latae

Answer explanation

Two facts can help here.

1. 1. It is the outermost muscle on the thigh.

2. 2. It tenses a large area of connective tissue (white) which is called fascia in many cases.

Identify the Muscle:

• Sartorius

• Rectus Femoris

• Vastus Lateralis

• Vastus Medius

• Tensor Fasciae Latae

Answer explanation

The name of this muscle tells what it is.

"Vastus" - huge

"lateralis" - on the outside

So, it's the huge muscle on the outside of the thigh.

Identify the Muscle:

• Sartorius

• Rectus Femoris

• Vastus Lateralis

• Vastus Medialis

• Tensor Fasciae Latae

Answer explanation

The name of this muscle tells what it is.

"Vastus" - huge

"medialis" - toward the midline

So, it's the huge muscle on the inside of the thigh by the midline of the body.