Anatomy and Stretching 101
The posterior compartment of the thigh “Hamstrings” The hamstrings received their name because it is common to tie hams (pork thighs) up for curing and/or smoking with a hook around these muscle tendons. This also explains the expression “hamstringing the enemy” by slashing these tendons lateral and medial to the knees.
The Anatomy • The muscles in the posterior compartment of the thigh are hamstrings. • The hamstrings are separated from the anterior compartment of the thigh by the lateral intermuscular septum. • Deep to the hamstrings on the posterior thigh is the adductor magnus, which is also separated from the posterior compartment by deep fascia. • The hamstring muscles are:1) semitendinosus, 2) semimembranosus and 3) biceps femoris (long head). See Image A.