Biceps Femoris Muscle (Short Head)

Last updated: May 5th, 2025

The short head of biceps femoris muscle originates from a ridge at the middle of the femur to cross the knee and insert on the tibia and fibula. As the name implies, the biceps femoris has two heads, or immovable ends, one attached to the ischium (bone in the pelvis) and the other attached to the femur (thigh bone). The muscle passes along the back of the thigh on the lateral side and connects close to the midline ends of the fibula and tibia (bones in the lower leg). The biceps femoris is one of the hamstring muscles, and its tendon (hamstring) can be felt as a ridge behind the knee. This muscle functions to flex and rotate the leg laterally and to extend the thigh.